Bill seeking extension of military courts presented in NA

ISLAMABAD - On Monday Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid moved the 28th Amendment Bill 2017 in the National Assembly, which pertains to the revival of military courts for another two years.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Law Zahid Hamid said that the government will fulfill its commitment regarding the formation of Parliamentary Committee on National Security.

Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said that the voting on the bill will be carried out on Tuesday.

The bill recommended a two-year extension in the term of military courts. It also demanded implementation of the law of evidence during the proceedings.

Speaking on the first reading of the bill, Mahmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party opposed the bill conditionally while Shaikh Rashid Ahmad of Awami Muslim League, Syed Naveed Qamar of PPP and Shah Mahmood Qureshi of PTI supported the bill conditionally explaining that government should fulfill the commitments regarding fair trial, formation of national security committee and reforms in the judicial system.

The chair announced that after the discussion the process of voting on the bill will be held on Tuesday.

On Thursday the parliamentary parties had reached a consensus on establishing military courts in the country for another two years. The bill in this regard was tabled in the National Assembly today.

Pakistan People’s Party President had earlier put forth a nine-point set of recommendations to the government over the extension in military courts’ tenure. The party had earlier boycotted the All Parties Conference sessions held on the subject.