Bench hearing military courts case dissolved

A Supreme Court bench hearing appeals against the verdict in the case of civilians being tried in military courts was dissolved after a judge recused himself from proceedings.

Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, who led the bench, said in Monday’s hearing that he would no longer be part of proceedings.

Former judge Jawad S Khawaja’s lawyer had raised objections against Justice Masood in an earlier hearing as well. The lawyer said on Monday that the case should be resent to the judges committee so the bench could be constituted.

Lawyer Hamid Khan tried to begin his arguments, but Justice Masood announced he would separate himself from the bench.

In December, the bench led by Justice Masood had suspended an earlier verdict against military trials of civilians, essentially allowing the trials to resume.

In a 5-1 majority decision, the top court allowed the military courts to try civilians in cases linked with the May 9 violence against military installations. However, the military courts have been told not to announce final judgments until the Supreme Court completes its hearing of the intra-court appeals.

Now, the bench hearing the appeal would have to be reconstituted.