In its third hearing, the Supreme Court dissolved its bench hearing pleas against civilian trials in military courts after the government objected to Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s inclusion.

Today, at the third hearing of the petitions, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan said: “Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had asked if we objected to his presence on the bench. I had replied that there was no objection at the time.”

As a relative of petitioner Khawaja, Justice Shah had previously informed the court that he would recuse himself if anyone had concerns about his inclusion on the bench.

In response, Attorney General Mansoor Awan said he had no reservations about his appointment.

The AGP, however, told the court today that he had been ordered by the government not to appoint Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.

Taking issue with the request, Pakistani Chief Justice (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial stated that the bench would not be made at your convenience.

As a result, he demanded to know why the federal government had objected to Justice Mansoor’s appointment.

AGP responded that the objection was based on a conflict of interest.