ISLAMABAD: The constitutional amendment to revive the special military courts to try jetblack terrorists will be adopted on Tuesday (March 28) and it would become a part of the book before end of the month with the assent of the president. It is unlikely that the new bone of contention regarding the issuance of US visa between the largest group in the house — the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Senate — and the so-called establishment could cause any delay in the passage of the constitutional amendment. The 28th Constitutional Amendment that has already been adopted by the National Assembly will provide extension of two years to the courts that lapsed on January 7 this year. It would deem the special military courts never ceased existence in the wake of adoption of the amendment. Four members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN), Mushahidullah Khan, Sardar Zafarullah Khan Khosa, Mir Nematullah Zehri and Kamran Michael, were absent from the house early this week when the amendment passed by the National Assembly a day earlier was placed before the house. The voting had to be deferred due to lack of supporting votes requisite for the passage (2/3rd members). Interestingly, Mushahidullah Khan is the parliamentary group leader of the PML-N who was away to Europe on the day the voting had to take place. The MQM member Ms. Nasreen Jalil is hospitalised in London. Three members of the PPP Usman Khan Saifullah, Gianchand and Saleem Mandvi Wala, while PTI member Mohsin Aziz and ANP member Shahi Syed were among the absentees. Mohsin Aziz has gone to Saudi Arabia for performing Umra. Gianchand is hospitalized. Shahi Syed is in the United States. Three Fata members including Taj Afridi and Saleh Shah were absent on the day due to their annoyance with the authorities concerned regarding the Fata affairs. Parliamentary sources said the Senate can retain the bill for three months (90 days) after its passage from the National Assembly. It could be
referred back to the joint sitting of parliament if discarded by the Senate anytime during 90 days. The sources said the eventuality isn’t in the offing. The sources pointed out that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is interested to bring about a legislation that could cater to the needs for which the military courts have been set up as soon as possible. He had given hint in the last week’s parliamentary group meeting of the ruling party that required legislation could be made within six months that would do away the need of any military court in the country, the sources added.