Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stayed the execution of five former naval officers, who were sentenced to death for their involvement in a corruption scandal.
In a written order issued on Tuesday, Justice Babar Sattar said that the court was considering the petitioners’ claims that they were denied a fair trial and that their right to life, as guaranteed by Article 9 and 10 of the Constitution, was being violated.
The petitioners, Arslan Nazeer Satti, Muhammad Hamad, Muhammad Tahir Rashid, Hamad Ahmed Khan, and Irfanullah, were convicted of corruption and sentenced to death by a court-martial. However, their lawyers claimed that they were not provided with adequate representation and that the trial was unfair. The court also expressed concerns that the evidence against the petitioners was not shared with their lawyers, and that they were denied access to the documents and records of the court of inquiry.
The Assistant Attorney General said that the authority to provide access to the documents was with the Chief of Naval Staff, who believed that sharing the documents could compromise the national interest.
The court asked the Chief of Naval Staff to submit his position on the matter within three weeks, and the case has been adjourned until July 1, 2024.
The petitioners’ lawyers argued that the court’s decision was a significant step towards ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected, and that the state’s interests cannot be prioritised over the fundamental rights of individuals. –Agencies
