President Mamnoon Hussain signed the summary on advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
The bill had been passed in the National Assembly and Senate on Tuesday, and was passed unopposed in both the Upper House and Lower House.
The bill was presented in the National Assembly to seek changes in the Constitution and Military Act to speed up trial of terrorists after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan gunmen killed over a hundred schoolchildren in an attack on December 16, 2014.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed with 247 votes - 14 more than the required two-third majority in the NA, and 78 votes out of 104 were passed in the Senate.
The amendment – aimed to set up special courts to try militants – was not opposed by any member present inside the house. Lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Sheikh Rasheed abstained from voting.
COMMENTS (13)
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I'm surprised why Sheikh Rashid abstained from voting? All of the hypocrite politicians will face consequences regardless. I'm wary of 21st Amendment as MQM, JUI-F and other Mullah and hypocrite parties wanted changes so the madarsas and political parties' terrorists wings could be shielded. I hope this amendment will bring meaningful results for Pakistan and peace will flourish in the country.
Whereas the PPP supported, and without its support, it would not have possible to pass the 21st Amendment, Bilawal tweeted: "Parliament cuts its nose to spite its face." In this instance, at least, Bilawal is more prescient.
As a strong advocate of Democracy, I have been always against military courts particularly when an elected government is in power.
However, I Hope and pray that this amendment does not affect the rights of the civilians excluding TERRORISTS AND WAR CRIMINALS.
The Law of Necessity "REBORN" and duly endorsed by the elected representatives of Pakistan; hopefully for a better and safer PAKISTAN and the generations to come.
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!
Pakistan has demonstrated its intention to clean the terrorist mess and hopefully they will contain it, All neighbour of Pakistan especially India should cooperate with its neighbour to bring peace to this region and help in cleaning the terrorist mess all around
Waa jee, who would have thought that the only thing needed was to handover the judicary to the Army and terrorism would end.
Army! we trust you.
New Pakistan" always Zindabad.. Allah bless us.
This poor man has done soooo much work.....he deserves to go on holiday for anther two years.
Who is this guy?
Thank God, Mr. President did some work...........and that is same on dictation :)
Moon has been sighted. Thank you Mr. President for showing your face after such a long time.
Congatulations to whole nation, except JUI-F and JI who boycot voting. Since the previous civilian governments failed to counter terrorism, it became necessary for Nawaz Government to deligate powers to Pakistan Army to deal with terrorists cases through Military Courts.
The fact remain that judiciary also failed to deliver justice to aggreived parties for decades, now Military Courts will provide justice to an affected common man in Pakistan.