NA passes bill to revive military courts for two years

[ghazi52]

NA approves amendment to reestablish military courts


The National Assembly passed on Tuesday the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill to reconstitute military courts.

According to Express News, the bill was approved with 255 votes in favour and four against it. While Pakhthnkhwa Milli Awami Party and Jamshed Dasti opposed the bill, Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl abstained from the voting process.

The bill, put forth by law minister Zahid Hamid, will now be presented in the Senate, where it will need to be passed with two-thirds majority in order to become law.

The military courts set up in Jan 2015 for speedy trial of hardcore terrorists through a constitutional amendment were suspended on Jan 7, 2017 after their two-year tenure came to an end.

After a series of elaborate discussions, the government managed to garner support for the trial courts and on Monday tabled the amendment bill in the lower house.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[خره مينه لګته وي]

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly of Pakistan on Tuesday passed the 28th Amendment Bill 2017, which pertains to the revival of military courts for another two years.

According to details, 255 NA members voted in favour while only four voted against the bill.

Taking part in the discussion, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of ANP supported the bill and said that elimination of terrorist mindset is imperative for eradication of terrorism from the country.

Ijaz-ul-Haq of PML-Z also supported the bill and said that revival of the military courts is need of the country and not that of the security forces. He said that military courts should continue to work till the elimination of terrorism from the country.

Dr Nafisa Shah of PPP said that military courts are working in a number of the democratic countries in the world. She said that we will vote in support of the bill because extraordinary measures are needed to address the menace of terrorism.

Winding up the discussion, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that after the expiry of the tenure of the military courts on 7th January this year, the government in consensus with all the parliamentary political parties decided to revive it. He said fifteen meetings of Parliamentary Leaders and five meetings of the technical committee were held in this regard. He said it was agreed to revive the tenure of the military courts for next two years.

He said the Parliamentary Committee on National Security that was constituted after the incident of Abbottabad, will also be revived through a resolution and it will oversight the functioning of the military courts.

The Minister said that the decision has been taken because the country is facing extraordinary challenges and the step will help to restore peace in the country.

The bill recommended a two-year extension in the term of military courts. It also demanded implementation of the law of evidence during the proceedings.

The other points of the bill recommended that the suspect should be brought in front of a court within 24 hours and be entitled to have a lawyer of his choice.

The parliamentary parties on Thursday had reached a consensus on establishing military courts in the country for another two years.

Pakistan People’s Party President had earlier put forth a nine-point set of recommendations to the government over the extension in military courts’ tenure.

The party had earlier boycotted the All Parties Conference sessions held on the subject..

255 members voted in favour of the bill while only four rejected it.

GeoNews

 

[VCheng]

Another black day in Pakistan's history, justified on the basis of "necessity".

 

[Malik Usman]

Another black day in Pakistan's history, justified on the basis of "necessity".

Another shinning day in Pakistani History, this is the only way to eliminate the hardcore terrorists........otherwise don't except anything from civil courts......

 

[unleashed]

Another black day in Pakistan's history

Black day for civil courts not Pakistan. A great move indeed..

Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl abstained from the voting process.

 

[shahbaz baig]

why cant politicians support complete NACTA plan in the country. corruption is directly linked with terrorism we also need to eradicate corruption

Another black day in Pakistan's history, justified on the basis of "necessity".

an other Good day for Pakistan`s history. this will be the direct punch on india`s proxy war.

 

[Fledgingwings]

The Universal language of Danda used and recognised everywhere

 

[Tom M]

Great decision, I think the courts should continue at-least 5 to 10 years more until the incidents of terror attacks are 10% or less.

 

[coffee_cup]

Another black day in Pakistan's history, justified on the basis of "necessity".

Yeah just like Guantanamo.

"Necessity".

 

[graphican]

Pakistan should actually make a law to approve military courts permanently and indefinitely. All cases of terrorism should be heard by military courts. Terrorism is worse than an open war and army is the only qualified department to handle them.

Cases of terrorism were available to civil courts for 10+ years, and no terrorist got punished under the law by civilian courts. That was a failure but a moment of realisation as well that civil courts cannot handle cases of terrorism.

 

[Tom M]

Pakistan should actually make a law to approve military courts permanently and indefinitely. All cases of terrorism should be heard by military courts. Terrorism is worse than an open war and army is the only qualified department to handle them.

Cases of terrorism were available to civil courts for 10+ years, and no terrorist got punished under the law by civilian courts. That was a failure but a moment of realisation as well that civil courts cannot handle cases of terrorism.

Well in this case I second your opinion.

 

[VCheng]

Pakistan should actually make a law to approve military courts permanently and indefinitely. All cases of terrorism should be heard by military courts. Terrorism is worse than an open war and army is the only qualified department to handle them.

Cases of terrorism were available to civil courts for 10+ years, and no terrorist got punished under the law by civilian courts. That was a failure but a moment of realisation as well that civil courts cannot handle cases of terrorism.

If such military courts are made permanent, it is only a matter of time before mission creep will set in, with demands to add more types of cases to their ambit.

What civilized country in the world allows its military to run such courts without proper civilian and judicial oversight? But then again, kangaroo courts are best suited to banana republics.

Pakistan must decide wisely which way it wishes to go with its judicial system.

 

[coffee_cup]

What civilized country in the world allows its military to run such courts without proper civilian and judicial oversight? But then again, kangaroo courts are best suited to banana republics.

*cough cough* Guantanamao *cough cough*

Pakistan should actually make a law to approve military courts permanently and indefinitely. All cases of terrorism should be heard by military courts. Terrorism is worse than an open war and army is the only qualified department to handle them.

Cases of terrorism were available to civil courts for 10+ years, and no terrorist got punished under the law by civilian courts. That was a failure but a moment of realisation as well that civil courts cannot handle cases of terrorism.

Well said bro. The scale of terrorism in Pakistan has been unprecedented and it definitely needs/needed drastic measures to hang all those terrorists, which are the worst scum of the earth.

So far so many of those have been sent to hell by these military courts. Work well done!

 

[VCheng]

*cough cough* Guantanamao *cough cough*

Please know the difference between the rights of citizens within their own country and those of non-uniform undeclared combatants captured on a battlefield in another country. It will help your cough.