Military courts case: SC bench dissolved again after govt’s objection on Justice Mansoor

The Supreme Court’s bench hearing pleas against civilians’ trials in military courts dissolved for the second time on its third hearing after the government raised objections over Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s inclusion to the bench.

During the third hearing of the petitions today, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan took to the rostrum and said: “Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had asked earlier if we objected to his presence in the bench. At the time, I had said there was no objection to him.”

Justice Shah had previously informed the court that he was a relative of petitioner Khawaja and that if anyone had concerns about his inclusion to the bench, he would recuse himself.

At this, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan said he had no reservations against his inclusion in the bench.

However, today, the AGP submitted to the court that he had “been instructed [by the government] that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah should not be a part of the bench.”

Chief Justice for Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial took issue with the request and remarked: “The bench will not be made by your will.”

He then demanded to know on what basis the federal government has objected to Justice Mansoor.

The AGP responded that the objection had been raised due to a conflict of interest.