The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Assistant Advocate General to seek instructions on why a retired army officer, convicted by a military court in connection with the May 9 riots, has not been provided copies of the judgment and related trial documents.
A division bench headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi was hearing a petition filed by Brigadier (retd) Javed Akram, who sought complete records of the proceedings conducted under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, along with a certified copy of the final judgment awarding his conviction.
Akram made the Ministry of Defence, Punjab Home Secretary, Judge Advocate General at GHQ, Presiding Officer of the Field General Court Martial at Mahfooz Shaheed Garrison, and the Punjab Inspector General of Prisons respondents in the case.
During proceedings, the bench observed that providing the trial record was a legal entitlement and questioned why the documents had not yet been furnished. The matter was adjourned until September 26.
In his petition, Akram contended that access to the judgment, charge sheet, and other trial-related documents was essential to defend his constitutional rights.
