ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court’s Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi said on Tuesday that people entering the Corps Commander House in Lahore on May 9, 2023, was indeed a “security breach”.
“Did people reach the Corps Commander’s house on May 9? People entering the Corps Commander’s House is indeed a security breach,” Justice Rizvi remarked during a hearing.
The judge’s remarks came as the apex court’s constitutional bench — headed by Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan — heard intra-court appeals against trying civilians in military courts.
The top court, in its unanimous verdict by a five-member bench, on October 23 last year, declared civilians’ trials in military courts null and void and ordered that 103 suspects be tried in civilian courts.
However, on December 13, 2023, a six-member bench of the apex court — with Justice Musarrat Hilali differing with the majority — suspended its October 23 order on petitions challenging it, which was then challenged.
However, on December 13, 2023, a six-member bench of the apex court — with Justice Musarrat Hilali differing with the majority — suspended its October 23 order on petitions challenging it. The top court was then again moved against the December order.
But after a hiatus, the constitutional bench in December last year conditionally allowed military courts to pronounce reserved verdicts of 85 civilians who were still in custody for their alleged involvement in the May 9, 2023, riots.
The May 9 riots refer to the violent protests triggered by the arrest of the PTI founder in a corruption case, during which state installations, including the General Headquarters, were also attacked.
