The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a concise statement from the federation and all provinces within a fortnight in response to Lahore High Court Bar Association's (LHCBA) plea against the establishment of military courts through the 21st Constitutional Amendment. After hearing initial arguments of Hamid Khan, the counsel for the LHCBA, a three-member bench of Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk adjourned the hearing of the case till February 12.
Hamid Khan pleaded that the 21st Constitutional Amendment abrogates and takes away the fundamental rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan. Khan further contended that the Amendment has also affected the independence of judiciary. The court issued notices to the Attorney General for Pakistan and all provincial top legal officers to submit a concise statement in the matter by February 12. The petitioner has requested the apex court to declare the Amendment violative of the basic structure and features of the Constitution.