Govt mulls reinstatement of military courts

High-level civil-military huddle recognises importance of military courts' role against terrorism

The federal government has begun consultations to extend the tenure of military courts, period of which will be decided by political parties in Parliament.

The decision came a day after military courts ceased to function on expiry of the mandated period.

A high-level meeting on Monday emphasised that military courts had played an important role at a crucial juncture against terrorism and extremism, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's House.

The courts translated actions under operation Zarb-e-Azab to meaningful and tangible national gains, it added.

Military courts were established through constitutional amendment after the attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School in December 2014 that left 150 people, mostly children, dead.



The meeting led by the premier reviewed the internal and regional security situation in detail to further strengthen the gains made through counter-terrorism operations.

The participants reiterated Pakistan's clear-cut policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism to accomplish internal peace as well as supplement its foreign policy initiatives. Those present at the meeting expressed resolved for continued efforts at all levels to achieve national policy objectives.



The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, DG ISI, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi, National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, Secretary to Prime Minister and other senior officials.