"The nation is looking towards the political and military leadership to take bold and meaningful decisions," Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif. PHOTO: ISPR
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s top military brass is increasingly worried about differences emerging among political parties over the establishment of military courts out of fear that the strong consensus achieved against terrorism would not be overshadowed by ‘smaller issues.’
The controversy came under discussion during Thursday’s meeting of corps commanders presided over by army chief General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) suggested that military commanders emphasised the need to keep intact the consensus achieved against terrorism following the massacre at the Army Public School in Peshawar.
“The corps commanders hoped that the much wanted and precious wider political consensus achieved against terrorism is not lost to smaller issues,” the military’s media wing said. The reference to smaller issues is related to the ongoing controversy regarding the establishment of military courts to ensure the speedy trial of hardcore terrorists.
Initially, during the multiparty conference, the country’s civil and military leadership agreed to set up special courts manned by military officers. Later, however, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) voiced their reservations over the move.
Both parties agreed in principle to support military courts but are not in favour of bringing a constitutional amendment for this purpose. They suggested changing the current Army Act to allow the provision for military courts to try civilians involved in terrorist attacks.
Aware of the importance of political backing for any action by the military, General Raheel appreciated the national political leadership for their resolve against terrorism.
“The entire nation is looking towards the political and military leadership of the country to take bold and meaningful decisions leading to stern action against terrorists and their sympathisers,” the army chief said. “The key [to defeating terrorism] lies in all institutions joining hands for an effective and prompt implementation of a comprehensive National Action Plan without losing any further time,” he was quoted as saying by ISPR.
Gen Raheel also reviewed the homework done by all concerned authorities to execute the tasks assigned to them in connection to the National Action Plan and directed them to follow strict timelines.
The corps commanders reviewed the overall internal and external security situation in the country with particular focus on the ongoing operations. The recent upsurge in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the country was also reviewed and its effects were appreciated.
“Participants of the conference expressed grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives in Peshawar terrorist attack, solidarity with bereaved families and resolved not to stop operations till elimination of last terrorist from our soil,” the ISPR statement said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2015.
COMMENTS (17)
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@WB: CM Punjab is not responsible for the death of people at Model Town. At the most it was excessive use of power by Police. We also need to consider that those who were died were part of an unlawful assembly who were dragging and beating the police officers stoning the police officers and this continued for hours. Then at last Police took the extreme measure, irrespective of whether it was right and wrong. Attack on Police is attack on the nation and those women and gents who continue to be part of such unlawful assembly were also party to the offence. If we want Police to save us we should give them due regard and respect. Three Policeman were injured and in the hospital - please let me know how further Police should have tolerated torture from that unlawful assembly.
Endless discussions taking place on pro and contra on Mly Courts. There is, however, no conclusive focus as to why such courts are required. These courts are needed because the civil judiciary has miserably failed due to incompetence, corruption, unnecessary delays in giving justice and most of all due to its sympathizing with the terrorists and corrupt politicians. Not in complete favor of the army but on this note they have stroked it right. Bulls eye!
ET the comment under my name @Parvez......has not been posted by me. Kindly institute your process for checking such trills.
PTI, PPP, ANP, and MQM are responsible for delay
A few court martials would definitely prevent such incidents in future as this was clearly a serious security breach despite written warnings communicated several times. Whoever ordered removal of guard from this facility should face the full wrath of law. The million dollar question with this incident is simply "where was the security".
Yes, the Constitution has become a piece of tissue paper. The politicians mess with it to suit their idiosyncrasies. None have spoken out against terrorism for fear of losing curry with the terrorists. What GOOD have the politicians done for the person on the street? ZILCH! Let the Constitution be amended to suit the common person on the street, family, job, vocation, freedom to act responsibly. The Pakistani paindoo politicians is an APOLOGY to humanity. Salams
@Blithe: wah, wah. The punjab CM who is directly responsible for gunning down 14 people in Model Town, including a pregnant lady, cannot resign but when it comes to the Army, then everyone finds a voice even the corrupt politicians. Shame!
Sympathizers of terrorists??? This class of persons was minted in the armed forces first, before they filtered trough to civilians
@Blithe Why the Corps Cdr, Peshawar and Why Not ????? the PM whose barren fields are left un-cultivable and has priority over his overseas trips rather than saving a few penny to strengthen the western borders !!!!!!!!
Pakistan’s top military brass is increasingly worried about differences emerging among political parties over the establishment of military courts out of fear that the strong consensus achieved against terrorism would not be overshadowed by ‘smaller issues.’ And who’s responsible, no one else can share the responsibility with Crown Prince of Pakistan.
General reverse your strategy of 'strategic depth' which is the root cause of the problem. You breed snakes and expect they won't bite you....how naive you are!!!
The statement recommends " stern action against terrorists and THEIR SYMPATHISERS". This is what nation wants. Its the "SYMPETHISERS" who are very active and need to be removed more than the terrorists who will die their death once this despicable lot is eliminated. They have been identified since 16 December 2014.
how it would be possible to prosecute civlions without amending the constitution and law and with amending army act which is not pertinent to civilions. politicians are feeling sham on constitution to be amended in military favour but never for their evil deeds and efficacy to strengthing the institutions and now feeling sorry to amend constitution for nation for the first time.
General, I do hope that you do have a PLAN B, just in case the politicians are complicit in the rise of terrorism in Pakistan which resulted in the 150 deaths of children in peshawar.
They are making it seem as if military courts is the only thing that needs to be done to end terrorism.
Wrong! Let's not camouflage a security issue into a judicial issue. The core commander of Peshawar should resign .
And wrong again , when we try to merge one pillar into another . We are messing around with the basic structure .
The solution is to build a fence along the western boarder , full stop .