Trial of civilians in military courts: Senate sees another day of protest over resolution

ISLAMABAD: The Senate session on Friday once again lasted for only a few minutes as several legislators refused to allow any business transactions until they were allowed to speak out against the resolution that advocated for a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling on military courts.

After the recitation from the Holy Quran, Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani tried to start the question hour and the first written question was by PML-N’s Dr Afnan Ullah, whose name was called out but he was absent. However, before that, most of the 38 members in the House were on their feet, including Kamran Murtaza, Saadia Abbasi, Tahir Bizenjo and Mushtaq Ahmad as they first wanted to express their views against the resolution. But the chair insisted on first exhausting the question hour.

“Let us first conduct the question hour and then I will let you speak. The way, all of you want to speak, I can’t hear and this way, the House could not be run,” he maintained.

As JUI-F’s Kamran Murtaza rose to speak on a point of public importance, Saadia Abbasi was also on her feet and with her mike off, apparently, she made it clear that if they were not permitted first to speak on the issue of the resolution, they will not let the House run.

On seeing almost standing and speaking, Sanjrani abruptly adjourned the House to meet again on Monday afternoon. The next sitting may also witness a similar situation unless the protesting members are allowed to vent their anger at the resolution adopted by the House.

Earlier, on Tuesday, only Senator Abbasi could get the opportunity to take the floor for a few minutes while others, including Mushtaq Ahmad, Mian Raza Rabbani and Tahir Bizenjo failed to speak. PML-N member Saadia Abbasi strongly protested and remarked, “Yesterday, a resolution was passed in the House when only 11-12 members were present by ignoring the rules and regulations. This process was conducted in haste. We neither support it nor does it strengthen democracy in the country.”

She contended that what the Supreme Court did was in the interest of the people of Pakistan, pointing out the apex court had twice turned down the military courts. Senator Abbasi wondered what the haste was in the passage of such a resolution when majority members were not around and why it was not on the agenda. She asked the members to condemn the resolution and demanded to take it back.