The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan, on Tuesday, suspended the release order of Peshawar High Court (PHC) allowing the release of 196 terrorists convicted from military courts.
The three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Musheer Alam suspended PHC decision to release 196 military court convicts, on Tuesday.
During the hearing Justice Qazi Ameen remarked that these 196 individuals have been found guilty and convicted on terrorism charges by military courts and every case and convict has its own sets of evidence and details and therefore must be dealt separately.
The top court has directed federal government to submit case details of all the 196 convicts adjourning the case till July 24.
It is pertinent to know that earlier, PHC two-member bench comprising of Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and Justice Mohammad Naeem Anwar had acquitted 196 people convicted by military courts on terrorism charges.
In its 426-page judgement, the court cited violation of Article 10 and 10-A of the Constitution which ensure the provision of defense counsel of the accused’s choice.
The court had further remarked that all 196 individuals were convicted without any substantial evidence and that the convictions reflect prosecution’s mala fide intentions.
“When seen in this perspective and the norms of the society the punishment so awarded in majority of the cases is too harsh,” said the court.
