Meeting on restoration of military courts remains indecisive

PPP announces to boycott committee; calls for APC

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the parliamentary parties committee in connection with restoration of military courts on Wednesday remained inconclusive, while Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) announced to boycott the committee’s session for today (Thursday).

During the sub-committee meeting, PPP parliamentarian Shazia Mari left the forum after recording her reservations, whereas PPP leader Naveed Qamar said that the party will call for All Parties Conference (APC) for consensus over military courts and terrorism, media reports said.

The sub-committee meeting, for consultation over constitutional amendment summary for the restoration of military courts, was chaired by Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid, during which Shazia Mari recorded her reservations and left the meeting. Zahid Hamid said that the JUI-F has supported the summary, while the PPP and PTI want amendment in it. 

PTI’s Shireen Mazari said that old summary was amended to make a party happy, while JUI-F’s leader Naeema Kishwer said that there is a demand to extend military courts by one and a half years instead of three, but the increase in military courts’ tenure can be discussed.

PPP’s Parliamentary leader Naveed Qamar said that the government was not able to hold consensus over matters of military courts and terrorism. He announced that the PPP will not participate in parliamentary committee for the restoration of military courts, but will call for All Parties Conference.