Supreme Court verdict firmly establishes 'law is above all': Aitzaz Ahsan
Pakistan
Supreme Court verdict firmly establishes 'law is above all': Aitzaz Ahsan
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Renowned legal expert Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has praised the Supreme Court’s decision of declaring military trials of civilians null and void, emphasising that it will reinforce the entire system, including the democratic framework and the constitution.
“The court judgment underscores the supremacy of the Constitution,” Aitzaz affirmed while commenting on the landmark verdict during his interaction with media outside the Supreme Court.
In its short order, the court ordered that the 102 individuals detained in connection with the the May 9 riots under the Army Act should face trial in civilian courts, effectively deeming any military court trial of civilians as invalid.
Aitzaz Ahsan, who was joined by senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja, succinctly summarised the significance of the ruling by stating, "A ruler derives authority from the law", and concluded that this verdict firmly established that "the law is above all."
He labeled the day as "historic", and said the verdict would have long-lasting implications.
Aitzaz reiterated that the court judgment underlined the supremacy of the Constitution and fortified the nation's democratic framework and its fundamental principles.
He also pointed out that the government's request to interpret the law and permit military trials of civilians had been rejected by the Supreme Court.
A five-member bench, composed of Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik, presided over the hearing of the petitions filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman and others.
