Pak SC says prosecution responsible for delay in closing terror cases

Pakistan's Supreme Court has reportedly said that prosecution was responsible for delay in prosecuting terror cases, not the judges.

While hearing a case filed by the bar associations, which challenged the establishment of military courts and claimed that the 21st Constitutional Amendment was passed by Parliament under pressure from the military high command, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa told a 17-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, that it was unfair to say that terrorism existed in the country due to judges.

He added that the delay was a failure of the prosecutors, reported The Express Tribune.

The superior bars have urged the apex court to interpret the 21st Constitutional Amendment as being inconsistent with Article 175(1), 203 and 4 as well as fundamental rights, the principle of separation of powers and the independence of judiciary, and therefore the jurisdiction of Court Martial (Military Courts) should not extend to civilians.