TOP PAKISTAN COURT ALLOWS MILITARY TRIALS IN TERROR CASES
Military courts stopped operations after petitions challenged their legality
ISLAMABAD: T he Pakistan Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed military courts to resume trials for terror suspects, the latest in the government’s intensified campaign against terrorism. The military courts which were established after the 21st constitutional amendment in January had stopped functioning after a number of petitions challenged the legality of the courts.
The apex court’s ruling, which comes in the wake of last year’s Taliban attack on a school, allows army courts to try even civilians suspected in terrorism cases, said Zafrullah Khan, the government’s legal adviser.
Welcoming the apex court’s decision, prime minister Nawaz Sharif told parliament that the military courts would help greatly in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. “The historic decision of the Supreme Court will have a positive impact on Pakistan,” Sharif said, adding “Today is an important day for politics and democracy in Pakistan.” Sharif noted “extraordinary situations require extraordinary steps.”
Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah also praised the Supreme Court’s Wednesday ruling which according to him proved that “Parliament is supreme.” “The situation was serious and remains serious today and this is why we supported military courts,” he said.
But critics and rights activists say it goes against the Constitution and civil rights. Human rights activists, however, argued that the military courts were a violation of basic human rights and are subject to abuse, as has been the case in the past.
Constitutional lawyer S.M. Zafar said the decision shows the “civilian government, army and courts are on the same page in the fight against the menace of terrorism.”
But another lawyer, Sheikh Ahsanuddin, criticized the ruling, saying it will undermine the judiciary and civil rights.
“We fear the military courts will override justice,” he said, adding he will file a review appeal against the Supreme Court’s ruling.