The wisest fool

Military courts in a democracy are really an oxymoron. By definition, such courts fall short of providing the necessary guarantees ensured in the constitution. The functioning of such trial courts is always shrouded in mystery. Critics have pointed to documented evidence of ill-treatment of people who have suffered such a detention system. Proponents say the measure is necessary because the existing rules unfairly balance the scales in favour of the lawbreaker and against society. There are cries of coddling criminals, of soft law enforcement, of legal technicalities which make it impossible for a policeman to know what he is supposed to do, of soft-hearted judges who return the criminals to the streets too soon.
Now that the government is all set to table a bill proposing formation of military courts during the current session of parliament, it has greater responsibility to ensure that any allegation of abuse or other serious violation of fundamental conventions during the trials, whenever they take place, are investigated by a judge of the apex court– fully independent of the chain of command of the military and independent of politicians as well.
Muhammad Faran
Karachi