RAWALPINDI: The following is the jurisdiction of courts (Order 1969), Presidential Order [June 30]:

Whereas doubts have arisen as to whether the Supreme Court or a High Court has power to issue any writ, order, notice or other process to or against ... or in relation to any proceedings of, or any jurisdiction exercised by, any such military court, or any Martial Law authority ... it is necessary to remove such doubts ... in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President and Chief Martial Law Administrator is pleased to ... promulgate the following order:

1. (1) This order may be called the Jurisdiction of Courts (Removal of Doubts) Order, 1969. ...

2. (1) No court, tribunal or other authority, including the Supreme Court and a High Court, shall: (a) Receive or entertain any complaint, petition, application or other representation whatsoever ... (b) call or permit to be called in question in any manner whatsoever any finding, sentence, order, proceeding or other action ... (c) issue or make any writ, order, notice or other process whatsoever to or against, or in relation to the exercise of any power or jurisdiction by a special military court or a summary military court, or any Martial Law authority...

3. (3) If any question arises as to the correctness, legality or propriety ... it shall be referred to the Chief Martial Law Administrator, whose decision thereon shall be final.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2019