Army did not put any pressure over formation of military courts: Nisar

Interior minister says only terrorists will be tried in special military courts


Web Desk January 03, 2015
Express News screengrab of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said on Saturday that the army did not put any pressure on politicians for the formation of military courts, while further clarifying that the courts would "try terrorists and terrorists only".

Answering a question during a press conference, the interior minister said the army did not "take any stand" regarding the establishment of military courts, let alone apply any pressure.

Nisar said all political parties were at the meeting and nothing was decided in secrecy, adding that the army said they would accept whatever decision was made.

He further said the special courts would "try terrorists, and terrorists only," adding that the establishment of the courts is only one aspect of the National Action Plan.

"It is not necessary that a person who is tried in the military courts will be hanged," the interior minister said. "They can walk free from military courts if their innocence is proven."

He said the NAP had not been properly reported, and that the militarty courts were not solely the NAP itself.

Nisar also made plain that provinces have just as much responsibility as the federal government does in regard to the NAP.

"A trio of the government, the army, and provinces make up Pakistan," he said.

"Provinces have a key role to play in the National Action Plan, but some provinces have not held meetings for it," he said.

Further, the interior minister said it was time for provincial governments to stop putting the blame solely on the federal government.

"Provinces need to take responsibility," Nisar said, and in reference to the blame said terrorists want there to be internal conflict as well.

Nisar said the allegations regarding a failure in intelligence in regards to the Peshawar school attack were false.

"The intelligence had issued reports regarding the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar," he said. "Those who say intelligence failed should take a look at those reports again."

Highlighting other aspects of the NAP, Nisar stated that action will be taken against those who are those accused of hate speech or anyone who is promoting sectarian differences.

Moreover, Nisar said it is essential for the public to also play their role in the NAP, saying, "It is important for the public to report any suspicious activity to the helpline, 1717. However, this helpline must not be toyed with."

He also said there has been a misconception about madrassahs. He said it is not necessary that all madrassahs are supporting militancy.

"Very few of them are doing so, and those that are responsible for this will be taken to task -- but only if there is proof against them," he said.

Speaking about the role of the media, he said the media should not glorify terrorists.

"The media should 'blackout' the threats made by terrorists, they should not give them a voice," Nisar said.

He appealed to the masses to be careful of organisations they provide donations to.

"The govt will use resources of the FBR and intelligence agencies to investigate funding channels of militant organisations," he said.

COMMENTS (12)

Sexton Blake | 9 years ago | Reply

Dear Mr Nisar, I believe in Santa Claus also.

Taskeen | 9 years ago | Reply

The Khakis are back in charge.If there was any doubt all you had to do was look at Zardari s face it said it all. It all came back to him the murder of BB. The Marriot hotel bombing and all the extra judicial killings in Karachi. The trails all lead back to Zardari

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ