Military Courts: To establish or not to establish

Political parties, independent analysts and even political dissidents are commenting on the issue with some terming it a virtual martial law.

ARY News takes a look on who is saying and has been saying what on the issue.

MQM chief says ‘Martial Law’ better

While the parties were debating anti-terror plan, MQM chief in a press conference termed ‘Martial Law’ better that establishment of military courts.

He even invited Pakistan’s army chief General Raheel Sharif to takeover the country and establish a martial law that shall spare no wrong doer.

While MQM agreed upon the establishment of such courts.

Today, in a press conference Farooq Sattar termed it a short term solution and clarified that they agreed upon the recommendation after assurances from government.

Faisal Raza Abidi says ‘task accomplished’

Talking about the establishment of military courts to punish terrorists in the country in ARY News talk show ‘Ab Tak’ Friday episode, Abidi said that the so-called democratic leadership neglected the issue of civilian killings in incidents of terrorism and have finally agreed upon the establishment of military courts due to public pressure.
He termed the move as a virtual ‘Democratic Martial Law’, an idea he has been campaigning for about a year.

Zardari on ‘misuse’ of military courts

Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) on the occasion of seventh death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed at Ghari Khuda Bakhsh, said that his party accepted the formation of special courts to be headed by military officials after the surety that it wouldn’t be utilized against political parties and journalists.

Asif Zardari clarified that PPP will not allow any misuse of military courts.

“We will sign the agreement of military courts formation only after complete assurance”, he added .

Jamaat-e-Islami chief says accepted it on ‘govt. request’

The chief critic of the decision, JI chief on December 26 said that the decision of forming military courts was accepted on the request of the federal government.

Siraj-ul-Haq, speaking to media after the meeting of political Jirga, said that Peshawar has been a target of terrorism for the past three decades.

“We accepted the decision of forming military courts on the request of the federal government”, he said.

‘Military’ or ‘Special’: A Journalist remarks

Salim Bokhari, a seasoned journalist perhaps had the most fitting remark on the decision.

Speaking in an ARY News show, Bokhari remarked that all democratic parties were dumbfounded and opposed the idea of military courts but agreed upon it with a cosmetic change such as a change in name i.e when military courts were pronounced as ‘special trial courts’.

Pakistan’s military and political leadership on Wednesday agreed on a comprehensive anti-terrorism action plan which included establishment of military courts, crackdown on terrorist hideouts, communications and funding sources along with the establishment of a counter-terrorism force.