Speedy trial: Military courts to hear 83 terrorism cases

ISLAMABAD (APP) – The Ministry of Interior has received recommendations to forward 83 terrorism-related cases including attack on Sri Lankan team, Manawan Training Centre attack and Benazir Bhutto murder cases to the military courts for speedy trial of the accused, Dunya News reported.

The move comes a day after President Mamnoon Hussain signed into law bills regarding 21st Constitutional Amendment and Army Act Amendment, establishing military courts for terrorism cases.

Parliament passed two bills on Tuesday that pave the way for the establishment of the special courts, as part of measures the government announced following a deadly attack on Army Public School in Peshawar that claimed the lives of 150 people, most of them students.

According to sources, thirty important cases including attack on Rescue 15 and FIA buildings, Manawan training centre attack, Model Town, Jinnah Hospital and Sri Lankan team attack have been forwarded from Lahore’s four anti-terrorism courts.

The establishment of military courts will be completed in two phases. Two special trial courts will be created in Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi.

The Ministry of Interior has started working on emergency basis to forward the terrorism cases to the military courts. At first, the ministry will send these cases to the apex committees of the concerned province.

After thorough review of the cases, the committees will hand over the cases to the military courts.