During the hearing of petitions against the trial of civilians in military courts in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Attorney General, in response to a question from the Chief Justice, said that on May 9, a mosque inside the Corps Commander’s House was also attacked.
A 6-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial is conducting the hearing.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik are part of the bench.
Arguments of the Attorney General
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan gave arguments and said that I will give arguments related to my written answer, I will read the written answer because I want to present the timeline of the events of May 9. Installations and property were damaged, the plane used by MM Alam was vandalized in Mianwali, Corps Commander House Lahore was severely damaged, 62 places were attacked in Punjab in which 52 people were injured, property was destroyed. Billions of rupees were damaged, military installations were damaged around one and a half billion, 149 vehicles were damaged.
Photographs of the events of May 9 and 10 presented in court
The Attorney General presented the photographs of the incidents of May 9 and 10 in the court and said that the assailants entered the GHQ by attacking gate number one, the soldier statue was vandalized in the GHQ, GHQ Rawalpindi. Army History Museum was attacked, Army Signals Officers Mess at GHQ was attacked, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology was attacked, ISI Hamza Camp Rawalpindi was attacked.
Attorney General also presented the photographs of Corps Commander House Lahore to the bench and said that the attackers used petrol bombs on May 9.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked whether the protesters attacked the mosque as well.
The protesters also attacked the mosque, Attorney General
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan told them that the protesters also attacked the mosque inside the Corps Commander’s House on May 9, one of the attackers was wearing the Corps Commander’s uniform. .
The Chief Justice of Pakistan inquired whether you are saying that soldiers only know how to shoot?
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan responded that military officers are not taught to disperse such mobs, military installations in Gujranwala and ISI headquarters in Faisalabad were attacked, ambulances were set on fire near the High Court in Peshawar, Bannu Camp was also attacked, CMH Abbottabad was also attacked, Motorway Toll Plaza was also burnt. Attacks were carried out under, terrorist incidents also occur in the country, attacks were carried out in central urban areas across the country, the Corps Commander’s house was burnt down and the contents there were smashed and burnt, the civil offenses in the Rawalpindi Bar Case. was carried into the Army Act.
Justice Mazahir Naqvi said that the situation was different then, constitutional amendment was made for trial under the Military Act.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan replied that the crimes under which the charges were filed in the May 9 incidents come under the Army Act.
Justice Mazahir Naqvi said that the people you want to try are civilians, can the trial of civilians be done without considering Article 175/2?
The Chief Justice said that the point is that you are saying that the events of May 9 were the first of their kind, according to you, no civilian had ever attacked military installations before May 9. The answer is important, how will the security of the 102 people who are in military custody be ensured? There is also the point that who else can exercise the powers of a magistrate? I am not an expert in criminal matters but the provisions that have been imposed will also have to be seen, the petitioners are not saying that these persons should be released and not punished, just tell how the case of these persons should be impartially dealt with. Will be seen? What provisions have been made?
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan replied that the crimes of the accused are not of a civil nature, Section 302 has also been applied to the accused.
Justice Mazahir Naqvi inquired whether there was any death of an army officer?
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan replied that there are no reports of casualties of any army officer.
Justice Mazahir Naqvi questioned that when no army officer died, how was Section 302 imposed?
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan replied that he is not giving arguments on instructions.
Chief Justice’s direction to the Attorney General to take instructions
The Chief Justice of Pakistan instructed him that it would be better if you take instructions on this matter.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan said that whoever told the facts today was saying that the case should be heard by a full court.
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