Gen Raheel Sharif. PHOTO: FILE
Military courts have handed down death sentences to six ‘hardcore terrorists’ who were accused of involvement in ‘heinous acts’ of terrorism.
This was the first instance of the military courts, established after the December 16 massacre in the Army Public School in Peshawar, successfully prosecuting the terrorists.
The six convicts are Noor Saeed, Haider Ali, Murad Khan, Inayatullah, Israruddin and Qari Zahir. another convict Abbas has been awarded life imprisonment.
The military courts tried seven hardcore terrorists for committing heinous offences related to terrorism, manslaughter, suicide bombing, kidnapping for ransom, colossal damage to life and property, a statement issued by the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Thursday.
In view of the nature and gravity of the offences, six terrorists were awarded death sentences while one was given life imprisonment under the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2015.
The death sentences were confirmed by Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, said the statement, adding that the convicts have the right to challenge the decision before the court of appeals.
The establishment of military courts was one of the main steps parliament had approved as part of the expeditious implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to deal with the growing threat of terrorism in the country.
The new anti-terror strategy was approved in the wake of gruesome attack by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the military-run school in Peshawar in which nearly 150 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed.
The tragic attack galvanised the entire nation with people calling for tough action against the culprits.
However, human rights groups as well as some political parties expressed concern over the establishment of the military courts insisting that the move was in violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
The legal fraternity has already challenged the military courts before the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing the case.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2015.
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