On Wednesday, the Sindh Bar Council (SBC) petitioned the Supreme Court in opposition to the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act of 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act of 2023.
The SBC claimed in its petition that, in addition to being unconstitutional, charging the accused in relation to the various violent acts committed during the May 9 and 10 attacks throughout Pakistan under the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and the Pakistan Army Act of 1952 is a flagrant overreach of those laws, a dubious exercise of authority, and lacks jurisdiction.
The petitioner requested that the court rule that the prosecution of civilians under military law and before military tribunals is unconstitutional and in violation of Pakistan’s responsibilities under international treaties and conventions.
Additionally, pursuant to Article 75 (1) of the Constitution, the claimed Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act 2023 and the supposed Official Secrets (Amendment) Act 2023 lack presidential assent and are null and void. Pursuant to Article 75 (3) of the Constitution, they may not be given the character of law.
