28th Amendment to be tabled in Senate on Tuesday

 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.