ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Law Zahid Hamid tabled the constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly on Friday for the revival of military courts for another two years and the Army Act Amendment Bill in the National Assembly. The government reached consensus with all parliamentary parties on the issue except the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
According to media reports, Hamid, while speaking on the floor of the assembly said, “The draft of the bill states that the country is going through extraordinary circumstances where terrorist organisations are a threat to the existence of Pakistan. In such a situation extraordinary measures must be taken.”
Moreover, the draft of the bill calls for action against armed groups that are spreading extremism and terrorism by twisting religion. The bill also adds that terrorism in the country is being funded by both local and foreign anti-state organisations.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that the PPP had backtracked from its point to appoint sessions or additional sessions judge in the military courts in the parliamentary leaders’ meeting.
However, the PPP refuted those claims. PPP spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar in a statement said, “The PPP totally and roundly rejects any statement purportedly issued by any official agency creating a false and erroneous impression of the PPP having agreed to the draft proposals of the government.”
