Fight against terrorism: How much money will the plan cost?
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a high-profile meeting on Friday (today) to craft a strategy to speedily implement the 20-point anti-terror National Action Plan agreed at a civil-military huddle on Wednesday.
According to the PM’s Office the premier has continued consultation with his legal and political aides about the implementation of the 20-point draft and called a high-level consultative meeting on Friday in this regard.
PM Nawaz has decided to regularly call follow-up meetings on implementation of the declaration and get report from everyone concerned, sources in the PM House said.
The PM will also get briefing on the finances required for implementing all the 20 steps listed in the declaration, which enjoys consensus of all the parliamentary parties and the military top brass.
In Friday’s meeting, Nawaz will be briefed by his legal team comprising Special Assistants to PM Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Khawaja Zaheer and Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt about the establishment of military courts.
On Wednesday, PM Nawaz had announced a 20-point National Action Plan to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country, which stipulated setting up of military courts.
The sources said all political parties have proposed names of their legal experts who would be assigned by the government to prepare a draft of constitutional amendment for the establishment of military courts.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Dr Arif Alvi said his party has suggested the name of Hamid Khan. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has proposed the name of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) recommended Farogh Naseem while Kh Zaheer, Barrister Zafarullah and Salman Butt will be representing the government side.
The sources pointed out that after the prime minister’s meeting legal experts will sit together and finalise the proposed draft within days to give go-head to the government to get it passed from Parliament.
Farogh Naseem said that although no notification has been issued yet, the committee most probably will contemplate to bring amendments in Articles 245, 232, etc of the Constitution.
The legal experts will not only focus on the constitutional amendment for military courts but also discuss other legal issues such as legislation for online material, change in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Pakistan Penal Code and changes in Pakistan Army Act 1952, the sources added. The parliamentary leaders have decided the mandate of the military courts as they will hold trial of diehard terrorists, whether they carry out attacks on military installations or civilians.
PM Nawaz in his meeting, the sources maintained, will get input from Pakistan Army as to how many courts they need across the country and how will they meet their financial requirements.
The sources said that the government will devise its strategy on how to tackle Jihadi organisations to disarm them, adding that the premier in his meeting will formulate strategy on how to crack down in Punjab and what action to take against militancy in South Punjab.
About Balochistan issue PM Nawaz will consult with his senior political team including Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to tackle Baloch insurgents along with leadership of the National Party which is currently ruling that province.
The sources said that Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch has sought complete authority in order to convince Baloch insurgents to surrender themselves which was accepted in the parliamentary meeting.
The sources said that all the provinces have been asked to submit comprehensive reports about steps which can eliminate terrorism, extremism, intolerance and sectarianism in their jurisdiction within two weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2014.