Govt seeks time to mull over appeal right to accused convicted by military courts

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The government has sought time to mull over the issue of the appeal right to the accused convicted by the military courts.

Hearing the case of civilians' trial in military courts on Friday, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that they cannot leave everything to the trial court. "The freedom of judiciary has main status in the judicial system of Pakistan," he observed.

The CJP observed that the basic rights can only be abolished only by legislation.

Presenting the arguments, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan contended that no arrested accused would be awarded the capital punishment or life term as the decision is made on the basis of a majority in the trial court. "Basic human rights are not applied to the Army Act," he added.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.