PTI asked to submit more documents in May 9 judicial commission formation case
Pakistan
A five-member constitutional bench heard arguments of Hamid Khan on petition filed by PTI founder
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Friday gave time to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to submit more documents on the issue of formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 tragedy.
Headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, a five-member constitutional bench heard the arguments of Hamid Khan on the petition filed by PTI founder Imran Khan.
Justice Khan inquired the counsel what his client requested in the petition. Advocate Khan submitted that the petitioner requested for the formation of a judicial commission, comprising the Chief Justice and two senior judges of the Supreme Court, to investigate the May 9 incident. He added that another request was for stopping trial of civilians in military courts.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the request regarding the trial of civilians in military courts had already become infructuous, as a separate case was already underway on the matter.
He asked the counsel whether the issue of forming a judicial commission could be considered under Article 184, Clause 3 of the Constitution. Advocate Khan replied that the May 9 incident was a national tragedy but no judicial inquiry has so been held.
Justice Mazhar asked him whether he had made a request for the formation of a judicial commission in the case related to the trial of civilians in military courts. Hamid Khan replied in the negative.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail remarked that in the petition, it was mentioned that dozens of civilians had been killed on May 9. Have you attached death certificate of any of those killed with the petition, the justice questioned the counsel.
Justice Khan asked him whether any private complaints had been filed regarding civilian deaths; any FIR had been registered.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi suggested that media reports related to the deaths of civilians on May 9 could have been submitted instead.
Later, the bench granted PTI more time to submit additional documents and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.
