Traffic Jam Delays SC Hearing on Military Court Appeals

News Desk

Islamabad: The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench (CB) on Monday adjourned the hearing of intra-court appeals challenging the nullification of civilians’ trials in military courts after Salman Akram Raja, counsel for a May 9 convict, failed to appear due to a traffic jam, a private news channel reported.

A seven-member bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the appeals.

At the start of the proceedings, Raja’s assistant, Rana Waqar, informed the court that his senior was unable to reach due to severe traffic congestion. “Only one route, Margalla Road, leading to the apex court is open, while all others remain closed,” he explained.

Justice Jamal Mandokhel, responding to the explanation, remarked that other lawyers, including Khawaja Haris, had managed to reach the court despite the situation. “Even you are here. If Raja Sahib had left half an hour earlier, he would have been in court too,” he stated, adding that it appeared some lawyers were indifferent to their clients’ fate.

Following this, the bench adjourned the hearing until Tuesday. Justice Aminuddin noted that the lawyers were free to present their arguments if they wished.