ISLAMABAD: The federal government has initiated consultations for constitutional amendment to continue the military courts for a period which is agreed by all political parties represented in the parliament.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting on Pakistan’s foreign relations chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at PM House in Islamabad.
The meeting also reviewed internal and regional security situation in detail with a view to further strengthen the gains made through counter-terrorism operations.
The meeting emphasized that the military courts have played an extremely important role at a very crucial juncture of one action against extremism and terrorism and translated the actions under operation Zarb-e-Azab to meaningful and tangible national gains, a Press Information Department release stated.
Read More: Law allowing military courts to try suspects on terror charges expires
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Director General ISI Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi, National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. (R) Nasser Khan Janjua, Secretary to the prime minister and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.
Lawmakers amended the constitution in January 2015, responding to an attack by Pakistani Taliban fighters on a military-run Army Public School in Peshawar that killed scores of children, but inserted an expiry clause to keep the measure temporary. This law had expired on December 31, 2016.
The participants of the meeting reiterated Pakistan’s clear-cut policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism to accomplish internal peace as well as supplement its foreign policy initiatives. The meeting resolved for continued efforts at all levels to achieve national policy objectives.
Read More: Military courts ceased functioning, confirms ISPR
The participants agreed that Pakistan would continue its efforts for attaining internal peace and play its due role for a peaceful region.
