A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has ordered the anti-terrorism courts to complete the trial of all 9 May cases within four months.
The Supreme Court ordered that the anti-terrorism courts submit progress reports related to the trial to the relevant high courts every 15 days. During the hearing of 9 May cases, Khadija Shah’s lawyer Sameer Khosa appeared in the court and said that it is requested that the fundamental rights of my client be protected.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, while talking to Khadija Shah’s lawyer, said that they should trust the anti-terrorism courts and let the 9 May cases proceed. Justice Salahuddin Pahanwar, while talking to Khadija Shah’s lawyer, said that you are just talking based on the impression that your rights will be affected.
The CJP remarked that the law is clear that the trial in the anti-terrorism courts will be on a daily basis. Lawyer Khadija Shah said, How will the trial be completed in four months? There are many cases registered against my client. Lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said that there are 35 cases against us, and the trial will not be completed in such a short period.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Yahya asked Faisal Chaudhry whose lawyer are you? Lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said that I am the lawyer of co-accused Fawad Chaudhry, Ex-Federal Minister. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi said that he would not listen to you because your case has not been scheduled for hearing, then lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said that you should schedule our case for hearing.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan remarked that the Mashal Khan murder incident took place in Mardan, I was the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court at that time. The trial of the Mashal Khan murder case was completed in three months, trust the anti-terrorism court can be trusted; the court can perform. Anti-terrorism courts should complete the trial in four months, and the rights of the accused should not be affected due to other cases registered in the trial court.
According to the court order shared by BOL News reporter, the special prosecutor, Wajid Gilani appeared in the 9 May case. The special prosecutor said that the findings of the high courts were against the law and evidence. The court was told that the anti-terrorism courts and high courts did not properly evaluate the evidence regarding 9 May cases. Additional Prosecutor General of Punjab Wajid Gilani said that the statements of 28 witnesses have been recorded so far.
