ISLAMABAD: Key figures from Pakistan’s political and military leadership on Monday agreed to reinstate military courts for a period all political parties can agree too.
The federal government initiated consultations to introduce a constitutional amendment to this effect, and will seek the consent of all political parties to have it passed.
The decision will be solidified if Parliament votes with a two-thirds majority in favour of the proposed amendment.
The decision to reinstate military courts was taken during a high-level huddle on Pakistan’s internal and external security concerns chaired by PM Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi, National Security Advisor retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua and other senior officials were present at the moot.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the security situation in detail, exchanging views on how to strengthen gains made through counter-terrorism operations in the country.
Speaking on the value of military courts, officials emphasised the role they had played in putting forth a consolidated effort to curb extremism and terrorism and helping the government draw tangible gains from Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Officials also reiterated that Pakistan would follow a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism to achieve internal stability and strengthen its foreign policy initiatives
