Verdict will help counter-terror efforts: PM

PM also lauded the armed forces, which, he said, were waging a decisive war in cooperation with civilian institutions

ISLAMABAD: Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict in favour of military courts, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday it would help the state’s efforts to fight terrorism.

“Today is an important day in our political, democratic and national history. The [Supreme Court] decision has vindicated rule of the people and supremacy of parliament. Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary steps,” he told lawmakers in the National Assembly

Some political parties had reservations over the establishment of military courts which have now been addressed by the apex court, said a visibly happy prime minister. “The historic decision of the Supreme Court will have a positive impact on Pakistan,” he added. “Parliament is the only solution to all big or small problems faced by the nation.”

Nawaz also lauded the armed forces, which, he said, were waging a decisive war in cooperation with civilian institutions and have achieved major successes in this battle. He said his administration had preferred consultation with all political parties on Operation Zarb-e-Azb, National Action Plan against terrorism, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and foreign policy.

Speaking with reference to the resolutions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) seeking to unseat the 28 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers, the premier said the government has decided not to support the move.



“I’ve personally requested JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and MQM’s MNAs to withdraw the resolutions in the greater interest of democracy,” he said. “We believe every respected parliamentarian has been mandated by people to sit in parliament. We want all political parties to play their role in parliament,” he said.

Talking with reference to the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s last year marathon sit-ins in Islamabad, the premier said the ‘dharna movement’ had negatively impacted the country’s economy. “But we should now move forward instead of looking back and avoid using non-parliamentary language inside the house so that we may shun conflicts,” he said.

He urged the speaker to put the unseating motions to vote on Thursday (today) if the two parties refuse to withdraw their resolutions “so that the situation of uncertainty can be removed”.

Referring to the plight of the flood-stricken people, the prime minister said the federal and provincial governments and other institutions were carrying out relief operations in a more effective manner than in the past. “The military, in collaboration with other institutions, is working hard to help out the affected people,” he added.

Speaking on floor of the House, Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah also praised the Supreme Court ruling which, according to him, proved that ‘parliament is supreme’.

“The situation was extraordinary when the idea of military courts was floated and yes this situation even exists today. That is why we supported military courts,” he said. “It’s time to move on and we all accept PTI MNAs with a generous heart,” he said. He, however, criticised the PTI for having ‘no future strategy’.

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman also welcomed the apex court verdict. He, however, criticised the government for allowing the law enforcement agencies defame political leaders by labelling them corrupt or terrorists. “Why it’s happening now what had happened during dictatorships,” he said. He also criticsed the PTI and urged the speaker to accept its lawmakers’ resignations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2015.