A file photo of National Assembly. PHOTO: APP
The 21st Amendment Bill 2015 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 were tabled in the assembly on January 3 in a session that lasted barely 10 minutes. The session was adjourned till today as 228 lawmakers, required for a constitutional amendment, were not present.
6:55pm
Voting for the proposed constitutional amendment seeking speedy trial of terrorists has been deferred till tomorrow, according to Express News.
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6:50pm
Speaking on the floor of the Parliament, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that “Peshawar incident could have been avoided if we reached national consensus and prepared a National Action Plan earlier.”
Referring to the interior minister’s statement wherein he mentioned that the Geneva Convention applies to those who accept the Constitution of the country, Sattar said that acts of terrorist are tantamount to war crimes. He added that even in war tribunals, the accused are afforded the basic right to defend themselves. "That’s all we are in favour of, nothing more than that."
While making a veiled reference to the Lal Masjid cleric, Sattar said that there was also a need to expose those who are spreading hatred and inciting violence.
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5:50pm
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said for lawmakers to agree on the establishment of military courts is not common but neither is the security situation of the country.
While addressing the National Assembly session, Nisar said, “We are in a state of war and on one side there is Pakistan Army who is fighting a war within its constitutional realm while on the other side there are militants who are ready to attack anyone and everyone.”
“Military courts have been established in other democratic countries as well,” the interior minister added.
He pointed out that military tribunals were also formed in a country like the United States after 9/11.
“Due to the current war-like situation, military courts are the need of the hour,” Nisar said.
Further, he said military courts will function within the judicial system.
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5:00pm
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrives at the National Assembly.
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The 21st Amendment Bill suggests amendments in Article 175 of the Constitution, which deals with judicial affairs as well as the first schedule of the Constitution, which deals with fundamental rights.
The Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 would remain in force for two years and stands repealed on the expiration of the said period unless extended by the Parliament.
After the approval of the bills, there will be no independent forum (superior courts) available to the terror suspects to appeal against military court’s decision, as the suspects of terrorism will not be able to claim fundamental rights unlike normal judicial course. In the first schedule of the Constitution, acts of all three armed forces and the Protection of Pakistan Act 2014 will also be inserted.
These military courts – with prior permission of the federal government – will also be able to try any person – who is claimed or is known to belong to any terrorist group or organisation using the name of religion or sect and who commits an offence. The federal government can also transfer pending cases to these military courts.
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Just talking, no action, even after massacre of innocent children, killing of thousands of civilians as well as security personals. Politicians always disappointed.
@Whiskey Khan: Zardari's government was by far much better than Sharfoo's dictatorship. Musharraf not only stuffed his pockets, but his handpicked lawmakers looted and plundered with the tons of cash that came to Pakistan during that period. With so much cash, and low oil prices we were expecting that all the external and internal debt will be retired. Right now, no one has a clue where billions and billions of dollars went.
"Interior minister says special courts will not be used against ordinary civilians" That is what you think but once the special courts become legally protected no one will be spared. Yes, they wont be used against "ordinary civilians" because they do not matter but they can be used against non-ordinary citizens, such as, politicians and other elites, who do matter.
"using the name of religion or sect......" what about using the name of political parties?
No tongue twisting. Right or wrong, what ever it takes to eradicate terrorism is welcome. Now these so called elected representatives have to prove to the nation if they are with the nation. for which they have to go an extra mile and approve extra measures to eradicate terrorism, or still have heart for terrorists.
Time and again the so called democratic Pakistanis have failed not only Pakistan but the entire nation. What have the elected democrats given the the Nation beside misery, fraud, killing and poverty. We saw the rule of Musharraf and Zardari, I choose the First one.
proclaim as lawmaker never deems to fit to these parliamentarian, if Imran khan and tahir ul qadri et al have said all about to set military courts, what could you expect the reaction with the quo would be awarded with conspirators , playing for army and establishment, altaf hussain occasionally has invited army to take over and impose martial law , but not one took notice but if it has been said by Imran what would be the reaction, affirming that real danger is Imran not altaf not military for them
One feels uncomfortable with the word Lawmakers with such a bunch in the Parliament.Oh God help us.