No new military courts being constituted: Bilawal

Foreign minister says he was is against banning political organisations

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday clarified that the government was not constituting any new military courts through the constitutional amendment.

Addressing the media, the PPP chairperson noted that a misunderstanding prevailed in the media regarding the military courts.

He maintained that the government was not introducing any amendment in the Constitution in this regard, adding that the Official Secrets Act and Army Act already existed.

Referring to the mayhem of May 9, Bilawal explained that rioters would be tried under the law which they had violated.

Last Friday, the federal cabinet approved the decision taken in the National Security Committee wherein it was decided that the protesters who ransacked and vandalised military installations on May 9 would be tried under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.

On May 9, widespread protests broke out after paramilitary Rangers arrested PTI chief Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court.

The protestors vandalised public and state properties and even attacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and Lahore Corps Commander’s residence.The rioting was followed by a harsh crackdown against the PTI leaders and workers that still continues.

Bilawal said he was against banning political organisations, adding that they should also behave politically.

He said PTI had the potential to become a political party but questioned how the dialogue could be held if Imran continued to behave in an “undemocratic manner”.

He said, as a political party, now, they had no option to hold talks with the PTI.

Also read: FM Bilawal says India 'abusing' G20 with Kashmir meet

“Our and PTI’s delegation had held negotiations on the election date. But the hindrance in talks was created because of Imran Khan,” he said.

Later, the foreign minister called on Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu during his visit to Air Headquarters and lauded the professionalism of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) personnel.

Bilawal while paying tribute to the PAF martyrs said, “The nation is grateful to all martyrs of Pakistan Air Force who sacrificed their lives while fighting valiantly in order to foil the nefarious ambitions of our enemy”.