Fazl-ur-Rehman lambastes govt over making military courts permanent

PESHAWAR -  Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman appeared on Thursday with offensive remarks against a draft to make military courts permanent.

Addressing a press conference, he said that establishment of military courts was an insult to civil courts, as civil judges were being considered “cowards”.

He urged the government to resolve the security issues being faced by civil courts and their judges instead of forming military courts.

Talking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that the multi-billion dollar project should not be politicised.

He also welcomed the return of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to Pakistan but refuted rumours that he has been tasked to play a role for reconciliation between political opponents.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior decided to merge Protection of Pakistan Law and the Anti-Terrorism Act. Under the new bill military courts will permanently hear the cases of anti-terrorism.

Sources said that the new law will be presented in the parliament after getting approval from the Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar. The new law would propose detainment of accused persons for 90 days.