Military courts strike terror in terrorists’ hearts

Some bitter ground realities once again demand that the existing system of justice should be extended additional support and strength by way of establishment of military courts in order to effectively curb the menace of terrorism. 

Of course, given the grave circumstances and unprecedented escalation in acts of terrorism, the re-establishment and operationalization of military courts will not mean setting up of a parallel system of justice. This act will rather imply reinforcing the justice system for public safety and protection and for awarding befitting punishment to hard-core terrorists who have been managing to go scot-free on occasions even after committing most brutal mass murders and even after playing with the decapitated heads of massacred soldiers just for humiliating their (dead) victims. 

The question is not that of drawing comparisons on any popular or unpopular premises about any of our systems of public safety and protection. The question essentially is that of meeting the targets and to the nation’s good luck, the targets are the same in all the key sectors of governance and criminal justice system. Every citizen and institution of Pakistan including the parliament, the government, the judiciary, the armed forces and the media all want that the terrorists and terrorism should be rooted out once for all and throughout the country. On this issue, everyone is on the same page although the same-page harmony is a rarity in the scheme of things in different parts of the world. 

In Pakistan, the situation is quite conducive for dealing an effective blow on terrorism now as the broad political framework that forms the foundation of decision-making echelons is particularly serious about it and it seems that the government’s efforts especially the efforts spearheaded by Federal Minister Ishaq Dar will start bearing fruit soon resulting in the early re-establishment of military courts albeit conditionally with another sunset clause added. 

In this area, even the staunchest rivals of the government are on the same page. Obviously, how can they adopt a posture which draws a bad picture about them as if they were overlooking or rejecting a plan that eradicates terrorism?

Even otherwise, studies, research and background interviews with senior citizens from different walks of life, have revealed that the way of functioning of military courts and their stringent- and inflexible- posturing and facade leaves only one image and lasting impact in the minds and hearts of terrorists and potential terrorists: That their (the terrorists’) days are numbered. Even the people from amongst the tribal region who have spoken to this scribe on the condition of anonymity and who had at times interacted with sympathizers and facilitators of terrorists, concede that military courts act as strong deterrents for terrorists since the terrorists dread what they describe as the ‘inflexible’ conduct of military courts. Even the ‘inaccessibility’ and ‘sure safety and aloofness’ of military courts’ presiding officers and witnesses is a proven plus in the public protection system.