ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected all the petitions filed against the establishment of military courts. SC rejected the petitions against the 18th and 19th amendments and declared that the military courts are constitutional.
Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk gave the decision on the petitions against 18th and 19th amendments. It is pertinent to mention here that the petitioners challenged not only the establishment of the military courts but also challenged the method of appointing judges.
According to the verdict of SC, the petitions were rejected with majority, 14 of 17 judges favored 18th amendment whereas 11 judges declared 21st amendment legal, 3 judges gave verdict against 18th amendment whereas 6 judges gave decision against 21st amendment.
It is pertinent to mention here that the full court of 18 judges headed by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk reserved judgment on June 27 after competition of arguments of 35 miscellaneous petitions concerning 18th and 21st constitutional amendment.
18th constitutional amendment was concerning provincial autonomy whereas 21st constitutional amendment was concerning establishment of military courts.