Govt cannot eradicate terrorism through military courts: Rabbani

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Mian Raza Rabbani on Monday claimed in the upper house that the government cannot eradicate terrorism through military courts.

During a discussion regarding the terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, the PPP senator said the govt had failed to implement the national security policy to fight terrorism which it had announced in February this year.

“The government announced a decision to allocate Rs32 billion for the national security policy budget but has failed to do so thus far,” he said.

Rabbani also said the govt was unable to stop the publishing of hate literature despite the presence of laws against it.

“We will observe the govt’s performance regarding the arrest of those involved in publishing of hate material during the next 15 days,” he added.

“I believe there was nothing new in the 20-point agenda announced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as it was the summary of the national security policy which was already announced by Interior Minister Chudhary Nisar Ali Khan,” Rabbani added.

The senator said that the interior minister had asked the provincial govts of Sindh, KP and Balochistan to call army under article 245 of the constitution as a rapid response while the govt had already decided to establish military courts.

Rabbani also warned there were news reports that the govt is planning to curtail article 8 of the Constitution.

“Do you think there is any need of the Parliament in present circumstances...I think we should resign as parliamentarians as well,” he said.

Earlier, PPP Senator Kazim Khan also rejected the decision of the govt regarding military courts.

“The PML-N leadership should learn lessons from its past experience regarding military courts,” Khan added.

Meanwhile, BNP-A Senator Kalsoom Parveen said that the govt should take steps to register Afghan nationals across the country.

She also demanded of the government to call a joint session of Parliament to discuss the issue in detail.

“The government should directed the PTA to take steps to block illegal SIMs while the registration of seminaries is the need of the hour,” the BNP-A senator added.

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Syed

Dec 29, 2014 11:32pm

True, Govt. can not eradicate terrorism through military courts but these courts are one of the many tools we need to fight terrorism. We can not eradicate terrorism without swift and sure justice either.

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Syed Ahmed

Dec 29, 2014 11:46pm

PPP Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, the author of controversial 18th amendment, claims that the government cannot eradicate terrorism through military courts. Does he mean to suggest that he and his boss can do that? What is waiting for, more innocent children, exceeding those belonging to Thar, get killed?

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Raja

Dec 29, 2014 11:50pm

YES It can eradicate, believe it or not Military is the ONLY savior of this country.

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Kanwarch

Dec 30, 2014 12:32am

Here we go again. Mr Rabbani start again to protect your leader from military courts. Change your mind and forget about the country and poor people. Think about protecting democracy and political leaders

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M.M.Sherazi

Dec 30, 2014 12:56am

no comments............ the twists and turns are being indicated by the political class, by the way Pakistan can eliminate terrorism if the politicians are not corrupt and consider Pakistan to come first and their personal gains as second...Military is the only hope in Pakistan to keep it integrated and protected.

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Dec 30, 2014 01:04am

Mr Rabbani do you have a solution other than the military courts.

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Shahpur

Dec 30, 2014 01:05am

The corrupt politicians are worried that they will end up in Military Courts. They can see the writing on the wall.

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Concerned

Dec 30, 2014 01:45am

PPP should lead by example and resign.

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M. Afzal

Dec 30, 2014 01:48am

@Raja Absolutely. The civilian courts and the judges are scared to hand out the death penalty so military courts is the "Only Solution." Key is not to let any one, yes anyone, be it from Sind, Balochistan, Punjab, or KPK, justice must be done to all, regardless of their creed, province, belief or party. Another issue is to order surrender of any kind of arms and ammunition within 5 days and if not done, will face death penalty. try it and see the result. Why the same people do not committ these heinous crimes when in Saudi Arabia or any other country?

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Guest

Dec 30, 2014 02:16am

Well why didn't your government do it then Mr. Rabbani? Has your government actually done anything? So please shut-up.

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bauke

Dec 30, 2014 02:18am

@Raja I always thougt Allah is the ONLY saviour of Pakistan....

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Mohammad Akhtar

Dec 30, 2014 02:47am

Who says it can't be eradicated by military courts? Pakistani people says IT can be. We are tired of politician who have no clue what is going on. Military is the answer to wipe them out.

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Kamal Pasha

Dec 30, 2014 02:50am

PPP always claim that nobody can do anything good for Pakistan except PPP.

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imtiaz

Dec 30, 2014 02:56am

ussi attar ke launde se dawa lete hain Meer...

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Norozkhan

Dec 30, 2014 03:01am

PPP Senator Raza Rabbani is either too naïve or he is speaking for Mr.Zardari. 90 % terrorists were set free by the courts and if some one like Uzair Baloch is convicted then Sindh Government has no courage to arrest him, in fact PPP protect him. Military Courts are the last hope to bring back Law and Order in Pakistan. Only people with tainted past oppose Military courts.

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AKNasser

Dec 30, 2014 03:05am

Mr. Rabbini , you have been sitting in the senate for a long time. You are a elected by PPP. What did Asif Zardari do in his 5 years rule to curb terrorism ? Or what did you do to push Nawaz Sharif to implement anti terrorism bill ? Now that 134 school kids also few teachers have been massacred , here you are voicing your opinion against military court. What is the alternative to military court? Every body knows, target killing has been going on especially in Karachi, what have you done to stop it ? If you talk , can you walk the walk ?

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Tanveer Sheikh

Dec 30, 2014 03:13am

Thank God someone speaks sense

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Fareed (usa)

Dec 30, 2014 03:21am

Senator Rabbani , if you are against military court , just resign and walk away from the senate. Oh no, you won't do that. Where would you get all the perks? Terrorism , target killing, persecution of minorities, hate speeches in Mosques, on TV talk shows are routine. What you & other senators have done to curb it ? Take military courts out, would you dare to prosecute these criminals ? Mumtaz Qadri who assassinated PPP governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, is living like a hero in the jail . Why has n't he been sent to gallows?

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Aussie

Dec 30, 2014 03:46am

He is another hardcore thug,

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Janu 100% German

Dec 30, 2014 03:51am

How very true!

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Mohsin meghani

Dec 30, 2014 05:34am

This military court decision is imposed by the Military janta because this is the first they have been directly affected by the terrorists. The weak civilian governments and opportunists elements always paves the infiltration of army in our political system. I hope they have already learnt a lesson and will not make a move to dismember the country again.

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Key Points

Dec 30, 2014 07:19am

An unfortunate situation requires drastic & effective actions. PPP during its five year term could not eliminate terrorism. Similarly, current ruling party has not made much progress to eradidicate terrorists. Many Pakistanis getting killed every day. However, elite politicians enjoy full security escort service everywhere they go. It should be mentioned here that its pakistani tax payers who are paying much of the security services for politicians.

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Mubashir

Dec 30, 2014 08:26am

Senator Mr.Raza Rabbani is right

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Mehboob Karim

Dec 30, 2014 10:35am

I agree with you. Military courts can eradicate terrorism only if they account for the economic terrorists and corrupt politicians

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