Pakistan Army Act amendment: What went inside National Assembly
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The National Assembly resumed its session in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair.
The National Assembly on Tuesday resumed discussion on a motion moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for revival of the military courts for another two years.
Taking part in the discussion, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of ANP supported the bill and said that elimination of terrorist mindset is imperative for eradication of terrorism from the country.
Ijaz-ul-Haq of PML-Z also supported the bill and said that revival of the military courts is need of the country and not that of the security forces. He said that military courts should continue to work till the elimination of terrorism from the country.
Dr Nafisa Shah of PPP said that military courts are working in a number of the democratic countries in the world. She said that we will vote in support of the bill because extraordinary measures are needed to address the menace of terrorism.
Winding up the discussion, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that after the expiry of the tenure of the military courts on 7th January this year, the government in consensus with all the parliamentary political parties decided to revive it. He said fifteen meetings of Parliamentary Leaders and five meetings of the technical committee were held in this regard. He said it was agreed to revive the tenure of the military courts for next two years. He said the Parliamentary Committee on National Security that was constituted after the incident of Abbottabad, will also be revived through a resolution and it will oversight the functioning of the military courts.
The Minister said that the decision has been taken because the country is facing extraordinary challenges and the step will help to restore peace in the country.
Later, the House passed "The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2017" with amendments.
The bill moved by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid provides to amend the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.
Speaking on the bill, Law Minister said that keeping in view the extraordinary situation and circumstances constituting grave threat to the security and integrity of Pakistan from various terrorist groups, armed groups, wings and militia or their members, the Constitution (Twenty-first Amendment) Act, 2015 was passed enabling trial of causes related to terrorism under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952. He said necessary amendments were also made in the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 through the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2015. He said these measures have yielded positive results in combating terrorism. He said it is, therefore, proposed to continue these special measures for a further period of two years through this bill.
Voting for the motion of "The Constitution (Twenty-eighth (Amendment) Bill, 2017" was held in the National Assembly.
253 Members voted in favour of the motion while four opposed the motion thereby showing two-third majority.
Now the clause by clause reading of the bill is underway.
The motion moved by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid provides to further amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The National Assembly passed "The Constitution (Twenty-eighth (Amendment) Bill, 2017" for revival of the Military Courts for another two years with two-third majority.
During the voting through division, 255 members supported the bill while four opposed it.
The bill moved by Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid and passed with amendments provides to further amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Under the bill, the tenure of the military courts will be extended for next two years effective from 7th January, 2017. The terrorists arrested will be presented for remand within 24 hours and the charge sheet will also be submitted. The accused will have right to hire private counsel. The law of evidence will also be applicable.
The bill will be presented in Senate on Wednesday and after passage from the Upper House it will be sent to the President for assent.
The National Assembly today adopted a motion for constitution of Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
The motion moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid stated that a committee consisting of members of the Parliament will be constituted by the Speaker National Assembly in consultation with Chairman Senate.
The committee headed by Speaker National Assembly will oversee the national security issues of the country.
It will review, monitor and oversee expeditious implementation of the National Action Plan.
The committee will monitor the process of transition from military courts to civil courts through criminal justice reforms.
The committee will present periodic reports regarding the NAP and national security before both the Houses as and when required.
The House will now meet tomorrow morning at 10:30.
