Rule of law: Lawyers voice opposition to military courts

KARACHI:

The legal fraternity on Monday opposed the government’s decision to establish military courts to try and punish terrorism suspects. They also demanded improved security for civilian courts.

The opposition came at a general body meeting of the members and newly-elected body of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) against the decision of the government to set-up military courts.

The idea to establish military courts came in the backdrop of the tragic attack at Peshawar’s Army Public School, where over 140 students and teachers were shot and killed by militants.



KBA president barrister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the lawyers’ community would not accept the establishment of military courts.

Ahmed added that civilian courts could also deliver better results if the government provided foolproof security to the judicial officers in line with the military officers. In the past, he claimed, similar military courts were established but they crushed the democratic system in the country.

Newly-elected KBA president Naeem Qureshi said that the establishment of military courts was not the solution to militancy in the country. He added that in these courts the judicial officers will be working in subordination to the army brigadiers.

According to Qureshi, the prime function of the military was to safeguard the frontiers. Other speakers also rejected the government’s proposal and demanded that the government should do necessary legislation if it wanted to set up the military courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2014.