On Friday, the Ministry of Defence filed an intra-court appeal in the Supreme Court against a five-member bench that declared civilians’ trials in military courts illegal,
In the petition, the ministry appealed to the Apex court to revoke the October 23 decision and restore the sections of the Official Secrets Act that were declared illegal. It also urges the Supreme Court to restore Section 59(4) of the Army Act.
The petition has also warned that declaring some sections of the Army Act and Official Secrets Act illegal would harm the country.
The defence ministry’s plea comes a day after the caretaker Sindh government and Shuhada Forum, Balochistan, separately requested the Supreme Court to set aside its judgment declaring the trials of civilians in military courts unconstitutional.
The Sindh chief secretary filed an appeal under Section 5 of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, read with Article 184(3) of the Constitution, against the order passed by the apex court in the petitions, challenging the trial of civilians in military courts.
The caretaker provincial government prayed to the apex court to allow its appeal against the October 23 short order.
It further prayed the court to suspend the operation of the short order till the appeal is pending.