The Islamabad High Court on Monday lifted the stay on the execution of five former Pakistan Navy officers convicted in the high-profile shipyard attack case.
The court's ruling paves the way for the execution of the five men sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) for their role in the 2014 shipyard attack.
The stay of their executions had been in effect for some time, but the court's decision now removes the legal obstacle.
The five officials – Arslan Nazir Satti, Mohammad Hamad, Mohammad Tahir Rashid, Hamad Ahmed and Irfanullah – were convicted in connection with the attack on the Pakistan Naval Dockyard, which targeted vital naval facilities.
The attackers boarded a Pakistan Navy frigate in September 2014, where they were seen initiating a firefight with Special Services Group (SSG) commandos.
At least two terrorists were killed and four others captured in a six-hour firefight with the intruders.
The former officers had filed a request for access to certain court documents related to their case, including the investigation report and the verdict.
Their lawyer, retired Colonel Inam-ur-Rehman, argued that while the government had given them limited access to some documents, they had not received full copies of the investigation report or the verdict.
Despite her request, the Navy had refused to provide full access to the documents, citing national security concerns. The Navy insisted that the investigative report be kept secret and its release could endanger the country's security.
However, the court ruled that the convicted officers should be granted access to relevant documents relating to their case, but refrained from publishing the full report. The Navy had previously argued that providing the report to the convicted officers could pose risks to national security.
The five former officers were sentenced to death by the FGCM, a military court, after being found guilty of complicity in the attack. They were charged with espionage, aiding and abetting the enemy and conspiring with foreign elements against the Pakistan Navy.
In its ruling, the Islamabad High Court reiterated its position that the executions could continue unless new legal developments occur. The verdict represents a significant step in the long-running legal battle over the punishment of the convicted officials.
The case caused controversy. Some argued for the death sentence to be upheld, while others questioned the fairness of the trial and the severity of the punishment. The Pakistani military insisted the conviction was justified given the nature of the crime and its impact on national security.
The five men have the opportunity to appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court, but for now the execution orders remain in place and the legal battle continues.
