ISLAMABAD: The matter of extending powers of military courts to try civilian terrorists has been made a big issue and is being needlessly dragged while renewal of this authority is urgently required in view of increased terrorist attacks.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is burning midnight oil to hammer out a consensus, but the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have demonstrated a hypocritical approach, impeding a national consensus at an early date.
Close to a dozen marathon sessions have so far been held under the chairmanship of the speaker but a final outcome is yet to emerge, resolving the matter once and for all, matching the emergency.
Further delay in arriving at an agreement is not sending a forceful message to terrorists, who deserve punishment equal to the magnitude of their crimes against humanity.
However, the amicable speaker continues to exude confidence for an early accord among the parliamentary players and believes that the forthcoming Feb 28 meeting of parliamentary groups will be decisive leading to the desired result.
The PPP’s plan to host an All Parties Conference (APC) doesn’t sound convincing. It is pointless because all the parliamentary forces form an APC when they get together and discuss the matter in question with the speaker presiding over the affair. Only the PPP can tell what different and distinct result does it want to achieve by holding an APC of its own. It means nothing except to search for its relevance and an attempt to take political mileage. The political parties will highlight their same respective stands in the APC that they project during meetings with the speaker.
Both the PPP and PTI are treating the issue as if it pertains to the government alone and will go to its political advantage. However, this is contrary to the facts as the government will not attract any extra gains if a consensus is worked out very soon. The matter concerns Pakistan and its people because all and sundry as well as the country will benefit when the terrorists will get exemplary punishment. If the parliamentary forces agree without further delay, they will earn a good name and will be able to share the credit. Lingering vacillation will bring a bad name to them and paint them as a careless lot, always desperate to bag political benefits even on an issue where a national consensus is instantly required without ifs and buts.
It is not less than a joke when it is announced at the end of every comprehensive meeting spanning several hours that the session remained inconclusive. The fears and apprehensions that political elements, named in terrorism-related crimes including terror financing, may also be hit by the renewed powers to the military courts are uncalled for and totally misplaced.
It is common knowledge that when the military courts exercised this authority for two years, ending in January, there was not a single case that was concerned any political party. All the persons tried and convicted by these courts were hardcore criminals. Never did any complaint emerge that any accused has anything to do with politics.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was expected to oppose the extension of powers tooth and nail, but he has behaved responsibly and stated that despite his serious reservations he has agreed to the proposal.
With the launch of the Raddul Fasaad, there are clear reports that the security forces are arresting a large number of suspects. They may include some ‘jet-black’ terrorists, who would be required to be tried by the military courts. Before the investigations are completed against them and decisions are taken to arraign them before such forums, it would be advisable for the parliamentary forces to firm up and approve the new constitutional amendment so that there is no hurdle in doing justice to such elements.
The security forces are doing a good job to curb terrorists all over Pakistan. Parliamentary players need to match their work by providing the constitutional and legal tools to take care of the criminals in the appropriate manner. Their dilly-dallying is transmitting a negative message to the security forces.