ISLAMABAD – Government on Monday called a meeting of parliamentary leaders to discuss extension in tenure of military courts on February 23 instead of the scheduled date, February 27.
While addressing the Senate today, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the government wanted to resolve the outstanding issues with consensus of all the political parties.
The military courts were established in 2015 in order to conduct speedy trial of terrorists and awarded them sentences.
The courts took place after an amendment in Constitution of Pakistan following a terror attack on Army Public School in 2014 claiming lives of over 130 students besides woman principal of the institute.
Tenure of the army courts expired by the end of 2016 and the government approached political parties for extension in tenure.
Earlier, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that continuation of the military courts was essential for ensuring continuation of the momentum of anti-terrorism campaign and the political leadership in the Parliament needed to stand united.
After Lahore blast, Punjab Chief Minister said on Friday that PML-N government fully supported extending the tenure of military courts as terrorists were hesitant before attacking due to fear of punishment.
