Decision for reinstatement of military courts lies with govt: ISPR

Army expresses satisfaction over performance of military courts, calls for expediting NAP progress

Pakistan Army expressed on Thursday satisfaction on the performance of military courts but said the decision for their reinstatement was to be taken by the government.

“Forum expressed its confidence on performance of Military Courts. However, decision for reinstatement of Military Courts rests with the government,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued after the 200th Corps Commanders conference held at the GHQ in Rawalpindi.

CCC.Hostile design 'll be defeated through whole of the nation approach. Sacrifices by resilient people of Pak/forces shall not go waste,IA. pic.twitter.com/ztaVrDlwPF

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) March 9, 2017

Military courts, which were established under the National Action Plan (NAP) in the wake of the horrific attack at the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014, handed down the death sentence to 161 terrorists before they expired on January 7.

No consensus has so far been reached between the government and the opposition on their revival despite frequent meetings on the issue.



Army also called for expediting NAP. “Through Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, implementation of NAP needs to be expedited by respective stakeholders for lasting peace and stability in the country,” it said.

The new military offensive was launched after a series of attacks rocked the country last month, killing over 100 people.

The meeting, which was presided by army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, hailed security forces for effective response to the terrorist incidents and security arrangement for Pakistan Super League final held in Lahore on March 5.

“The RuF is a comprehensive across the board operation against terrorists and terrorism and not against any particular race, sect or group,” Gen Qamar was quoted as saying. “Forum also acknowledged participation and support by PAF and Pakistan Navy in ongoing operations.”

The high-level huddle, according to the military’s media wing, also reviewed Pakistan Army's support in conducting 6th Housing and Population Census 2017, which is scheduled to begin on March 15. “The COAS said army shall undertake this task as a national service,” the statement read.

Hostile agencies trying to undo CPEC

The forum said hostile agencies were trying to undo Pakistan's gains in security and development, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“Forum pledged that their designs will be defeated through whole of the nation approach… Pak Army [will play] its due role towards defence and security of the motherland,” the ISPR concluded.