Military Courts revival: Senate approved bill with two-third majority
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Senate resumed its session in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon with Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani in the chair.
The Senate resumed further discussion on "The Constitution (Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2017", which was tabled by Law Minister Zahid Hamid on Wednesday.
Taking part in the discussion, Sardar Azam Khan Musakhel opposed the bill and said that by extending military courts, democratic parties are strengthening dictatorship in the country.
Sitara Ayaz said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is the worst hit by terrorism and that is why her party is going to support this bill to end the scourge from the country.
Sehar Kamran said that we have no other option to support this bill to crush terrorism from Pakistan.
Rehman Malik said that terrorism is a threat to democracy. He urged the government to take appropriate steps to strengthen judicial system of the country so that there will be no need to further extend military courts after two years.
Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh said Pakistan's existing judicial system is so feeble and frail that it is unable to check terrorism in the country and that is why there is a need to extend military courts for two years.
Mohsin Aziz said that extraordinary circumstances need extraordinary measures. He said that we have not been discussing extension in the military courts if National Action Plan has been implemented in letter and spirit.
Khalida Parveen said extension in military courts is a big question mark on the claim of good governance.
Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that extension in Military Courts is need of the hour to eradicate terrorism from the country.
He said we should not be apologetic on extending the term of military courts for another two years as it is a right decision. He said in the new draft, word 'use' of religion and sect has been replaced with 'misuse' of religion and sect. He said terrorists have no religion, sect, ethnicity or country and they always pursue an agenda of destruction.
The Finance Minister said although Article 10 of the Constitution covers three of nine recommendations of PPP, but even then they have been incorporated in the bill. He said Pakistan has serious energy and security challenges which can be handled with unity. He thanked all the political parties for supporting the bill during the consultation process.
Ishaq Dar offered the House that a briefing on implementation on NAP and outcome of Operation Zarb-e-Azb can be arranged for the parliamentarians.
Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan said that not a single point of National Action Plan, except establishment of military courts, has been implemented by the government and that is why we are now again passing this amendment.
The Senate today 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, 78 members supported the bill while three opposed it.
The bill has already been passed by the National Assembly.
The bill moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid provides for further amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
"The Illegal Dispossession (Amendment) Bill, 2017" was introduced before the House on Tuesday. It was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad.
The chair referred the bill to the standing committee concerned for further deliberation.
The Senate passed a unanimous resolution for constitution of Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
The resolution moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid stated that the 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 periodical reports regarding the NAP and national security before both the Houses. The Speaker may make changes in the composition of the committee as and when required. The committee may make rules to regulate its procedure.
The House has now been prorogued.
