Supreme Court Bench Delves into Military Courts’ Jurisdiction
In a pivotal Supreme Court hearing on military courts, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail made a clear assertion: the Army Act is exclusively applicable to military personnel, reinforcing its distinct legal boundary.
The remarks were made during a session of a seven-member constitutional bench, chaired by Justice Aminuddin Khan, as it scrutinized the jurisdiction and practices of military courts. The case also spotlighted concerns about ensuring fundamental rights and justice for army officers, as reported by Express News.
Other distinguished members of the bench included Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Shahid Bilal Hassan.
Defense Ministry’s Counsel Under the Spotlight
During the proceedings, Khawaja Haris, representing the Ministry of Defence, presented his arguments. Justice Mandokhail, however, challenged the existing trial mechanisms within military courts, posing pointed questions about their procedures and transparency.
The Core Question
Justice Mandokhail’s inquiry goes to the heart of a broader debate—can military courts ensure due process, and are their mechanisms aligned with the Constitution?
This landmark hearing could have far-reaching implications for how military justice interacts with constitutional safeguards in Pakistan.
Stay tuned as the case progresses, shaping the balance between national security and individual rights in the legal landscape.
