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A lawyer informs SC that the Army performs the most transparent investigation.

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The Supreme Court’s seven-member constitutional bench postponed the hearing on intra-court challenges against the nullification of civilian proceedings in military courts until tomorrow.

Under the leadership of Justice Aminuddin Khan, the bench consists of Justices Shahid Bilal Hassan, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Mussarat Hilali, Jamal Mandokhel, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan.

Khawaja Haris, the Defence Ministry’s attorney, described the process for trials and investigations in military courts throughout the hearing.

He told the court that in military trials, charges are made against the accused and then an investigation is carried out. The accused is shown witnesses and given the chance to question them in cross-examination. Haris said, “The kind of transparent investigation conducted in the army cannot be seen anywhere else.”

According to Khawaja Haris, who supported the military court procedures, the accused is asked if he has any objections to a judge at the start of a court martial, and judgements are taken by a majority. Justice Mussarat Hilali asked if a uniformed military commander could be an unbiased judge, saying, “These days, people are also questioning the judges. How is it possible for a uniformed military officer to be an unbiased judge?

Khawaja Haris responded, “Even judges are wearing uniforms,” which caused the courtroom to erupt in laughter. In response, Justice Mandokhel said, “You mean that the black and khaki uniforms are the same? Wouldn’t an impartial body be preferable for implementation, regardless of how good the process is?”

He added that the accused frequently express dissatisfaction with the trials that their accusers have performed.

The counsel for the Defence Ministry briefed the court on the Army Act’s charge-frame procedure and the police FIA. He clarified that following the framing of a charge, the commanding officer carries out an inquiry, which is predicated on the charge. In response to Justice Jamal Mandokhel’s inquiry on whether the charge frame is created during the trial as well, Haris explained that it is distinct and is created during the trial.

Concerning the application of military law to civilians, Justice Mussarat Hilali posed the question, “No matter how strict this law is, will it apply to civilians?” “A charge must be framed; one cannot be considered in violation of the Army Act unless there is an allegation,” Justice Jamal Mandokhel continued.

The bench was suspicious about the fairness of military trials for civilians in spite of these guarantees. Justice Jamal Mandokhel restated, “Wouldn’t it be better to have an independent body for implementation, regardless of how good the procedure is?”

After declaring that the constitutional bench would only consider cases pertaining to military courts tomorrow, Justice Aminuddin Khan adjourned the meeting.

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As the cold wave deepens, Pakistan experiences widespread snowfall and heavy rain.

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For the third day in a row, there has been sporadic rain in several parts of the nation, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Saidpur received 8 mm of rain, the most ever recorded in the capital. The Meteorological Department predicts that the rainy spell would last until March 1.

Play has been interrupted during the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium due to the persistent rain.

Road closures and dangerous travel conditions have resulted from heavy rain and snowfall caused by a powerful westerly wave that has affected northern Pakistan. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning for Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli, where heavy precipitation may cause slippery roads and landslides.

It is recommended that travelers use utmost caution and refrain from needless travel when it is raining and snowing heavily.

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PTI requested additional documents to be submitted in the May 9 judicial commission creation case.

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A five-member constitutional bench led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan heard Hamid Khan’s arguments about the petition that PTI founder Imran Khan had filed.

Justice Khan asked the attorney what the petition’s client had asked for. According to Advocate Khan, the petitioner asked for the creation of a judicial commission to look into the May 9 incident. The commission would include the Chief Justice and two senior Supreme Court judges. Another aim, he added, was to prevent civilian trials in military courts.

The plea for civilians to be tried in military courts had already become infructuous, according to Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, because a separate case was already pending on the subject.

He questioned the attorney on whether Article 184, Clause 3 of the Constitution could be applied to the question of creating a judicial commission. In response, Advocate Khan stated that although the May 9 occurrence was a national tragedy, no judicial investigation had been conducted.

In the issue concerning civilian trials in military tribunals, Justice Mazhar questioned him about whether he had requested the creation of a judicial panel. Hamid Khan gave a negative response.

The petition stated that hundreds of civilians had been slain on May 9, said Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail. The justice asked the attorney if they had included the death certificate of any of the people slain with the petition.

He was asked by Justice Khan if any FIRs had been registered or if any private complaints had been made about civilian deaths.

Instead, media reports about the May 9 civilian deaths may have been provided, according to Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi.

The bench thereafter postponed the hearing indefinitely and gave PTI extra time to present further papers.

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Murree Accidents: Severe Weather Causes Three Deaths and Twelve Injuries

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In Galiyat, a severe hailstorm and snowfall combined with fog-induced vehicle skidding resulted in two distinct accidents that claimed three lives and injured twelve more.

Three people, including the driver, perished instantly in the first incident, and seven more were hurt.

Five people were hurt in the second accident, which happened at Phagwari Dhaka on the Srinagar Road when a car slipped because of heavy rain and fog.

Rescue 1122 emergency personnel swiftly arrived on the scene, recovered the deceased, gave first aid to the injured, and then took the seriously injured to the hospital.

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