Pakistan Military Courts Set up to Charge Civilians for Terrorism Cease to Function After 4 Years
PTI, Apr 1, 2019, 3:44 PM IST
Islamabad: Pakistan’s special military courts, which were set up in 2015 to try civilians on terrorism charges, have ceased to exist after the government failed to get the support of the Opposition to extend their tenure, according to a media report on Monday.
The courts were set up weeks after the Peshawar school attack on December 16, 2014, for speedy trial of hardcore militants. The massacre left over 150 people dead, mostly students.
Initially the court were set up for two years but later the tenure was extended in 2017 for another two years. The Express Tribune reported that the court ceased to exist on Sunday as the government failed to get the support of the Opposition to extend their tenure. The government wanted to give another extension of two years to the military courts.
In its effort to generate consensus on the issue, the government had planned a meeting of parliamentary heads of opposition parties on March 28. However, due to the prevailing tense political situation, the opposition parties boycotted the meeting which led to its cancellation.
While there is no official data available about the cases handled by the military courts, the National Assembly was informed in November last year that the military authorities were to decide 185 terrorism-related cases before expiry of their term in March.
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak told the lower house at that time that a total of 478 cases were decided by these courts. He said a total of 284 convicts had been awarded death sentences.
In August 2015, the Supreme Court upheld the establishment of military courts to try terror suspects in a majority ruling but said the superior judiciary could still review any judgement passed by them.
In 2016, a larger bench of the Supreme Court also endorsed the trial of militants conducted by these courts.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
‘Idiot’: Former Canadian Sikh minister slams Justin Trudeau over Khalistan issue
Canadian cop suspended for attending pro-Khalistan protest outside Hindu temple
US going to historically tight presidential election
Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi
Khalistanis clash with people at Hindu temple in Canada, Trudeau says unacceptable
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Davangere: MLA Basavantappa returns Rs 1.2 lakh left behind at shop
Ullal: Man attacked for allegedly providing information on illegal sand mining
Woman dies after being hit by luxury car driven by ‘drunk’ youth in Bengaluru
Woman dies after being hit by luxury car driven by ‘drunk’ youth in Karnataka
Mangaluru: Coastal K’taka professionals shine globally, says MResult CEO Chandrashekhar Naik
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.