ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has categorically stated that military courts would not be used against politicians, seminaries, businessmen, media-persons and ordinary citizens.
On Friday, the country’s political leadership reached a consensus to bring amendments in the constitution for the establishment of special courts headed by military officers for speedy trial of the terrorists.
In his address at a news conference in Islamabad in Saturday evening, the interior minister said that only terrorists would be tried in these courts.
The minister also emphasized that the country’s normal judicial system would continue to function. He said that establishment of special courts is not a no confidence in the judicial system of the country.
The interior minister said that Pakistan is passing through an extraordinary situation demanding extraordinary measures.
Chaudhry Nisar said that Pakistan army, police and security agencies would present terrorists before special courts where they would get full opportunity to defend themselves.
The minister said that special courts headed by army officers also work under laws, rules and regulations.
Moreover, he said that Peshawar tragedy was not an intelligence failure as timely alerts are issued to the provinces. He said that the agencies have been sharing intelligence and it is for the provinces to take preventive measures or any other action.
The country’s military and political leadership have taken strict measures to curb terrorism including adopting of a 20-point national action plan under which military courts are to be established among others.
In addition, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also lifted a six-year moratorium on death penalty for those convicted for terrorism on December 17, a day after the terror attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar.
