Aitzaz assails Fazl for retracting from his stance on military courts

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan on Saturday assailed Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for retracting from his stance in the multi-party conference over establishment of military courts in the country, DawnNews reported.

Speaking at a ceremony here, he said that Rehman had agreed to the collective decision on National Action Plan (NAP) taken against the backdrop of deadly Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar that killed 150 people, mostly school children.

Also read: Process of establishing military courts has begun, says army

Establishment of military courts to decide terrorism related cases is a part of the NAP. The JUI-F chief has opposed the national strategy to tackle terrorism, terming the 21st Constitutional Amendment as a ‘collective suicide attack on democracy’ by parliamentary parties.

“Our stance against terrorism should be understood. Terrorists have been given an escape route through this law... for instance if any terrorist shaves his beard off and takes off his turban renaming himself as Saulat Mirza or Ajmal Pahari, then terrorism would be accepted and the terrorist would not be presented in a military court,” he said during a press conference on Thursday only to draw severe criticism from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

A petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the establishment of military courts. The petition states that the contentious amendment to establish military courts in the country is against the basic structure of the Constitution.

Speaking to the media today, Ahsan said instead of guiding Pakistan towards progress, “We are trying to take it back to the 13th century”. “In this day and age, people are being killed here for inappropriate length of their shalwars,” he added.

The PPP senator said that establishment of the military courts was the need of the hour. However, he added that his party does not want these courts to be used against politicians, nationalists and common criminals.

Ahsan said that the PPP has only supported the controversial constitutional amendment for the first time in its history to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country.

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Just one

Jan 10, 2015 08:03pm

The Solution is EDUCATION.............ILM my Pakistani brothers and sister.

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Gramscian

Jan 10, 2015 08:05pm

Interestingly, 13th century Islamic world was more tolerant than 21st century Pakistan.

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Jan 10, 2015 08:12pm

No sir. No. Your lecture to Maulana is more of a distraction to your own action of supporting your leader and casting a vote in the senate in favour of the new 21st amendment. Imagine, if a person of your stature, wisdom, experience and knowledge could not dare say 'NO' to your leader, how do you expect an ordinary person not to defy an order. Frankly speaking, sir, you have disappointed many. We did not expect you to support military courts. You have made a joke of the constitution, amending it right and left, whenever your leaders desire. Not even a debate in the parliament & senate.

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Raja

Jan 10, 2015 08:15pm

Aitzaz is right, FAZL is a terrorists' supporter, he must be arrested.

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wizarat

Jan 10, 2015 08:15pm

Why are you worried Mr. Ahsan Maulana wants to have have the Junnat and Dosagh both.

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A Khan

Jan 10, 2015 08:24pm

Mullah is famous for earning favors from the ruling elite. He walks into the corridors of power to get personal benefits. But he is not prepared to ever work for the betterment of this nation. It's time that he be stripped of personal benefits. I m sure he will succumb to the state policy.

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IMTIAZ

Jan 10, 2015 08:34pm

What Fazal wants that sectarian extremism be excepted. He wants the killers be allowed to carry on the terrorism in the name of Islam. What an oximoran!!

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Jan 10, 2015 08:51pm

Really I didn't know people have been killed due to the length of their shalwar? Please provide more info as to those killed and the killers?

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ordinary citizen

Jan 10, 2015 08:57pm

You are on very slippery slope Mr. Barrister. There is not much difference between you and them,since you are not listening to him only because he has beard and he wears his salwar above his ankles. Let me remind you a quote you most likely have already heard: "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

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Jan 10, 2015 09:09pm

Mr. Aitzaz, now PPP what exactly you think about the political parties supported the dictators in past. Please through the drum band and drumstick (democratic),

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Imran Ahmed

Jan 10, 2015 09:14pm

If, as you say and I agree with you, these courts are dangerously retrograde, why have you voted for them?

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king

Jan 10, 2015 09:16pm

The only thing wrong with this guy is the fact that he is in PPP.

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Ayub Khan

Jan 10, 2015 09:21pm

Fazal ur Rehaman sahib is also right.

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Hope

Jan 10, 2015 09:31pm

Fazal's membership of assembly should be cancelled.

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James zatonski

Jan 10, 2015 09:31pm

Another double speak from Aitizaz. Sad reality is that it is lawyers like him and the judges he supports that have brought our justice system to the mess it is in. The common man just can not get a fair deal till men like him are able to walk in the corridors of power.

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Rafiq

Jan 10, 2015 09:32pm

A discrimination between terrorist and a criminal is acceptable to Aitzaz Ahsan but should not be acceptable to law.This discriminatory use of law has brought this nation to this state of security. dire need to avoid it,Supreme Court must strike it down and throw it in dustbin

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Ahmer

Jan 10, 2015 09:38pm

" he added that his party does not want these courts to be used against politicians, nationalists and common criminals." Who is going to ensure that? Supreme Court?

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I. Ahmed

Jan 10, 2015 09:44pm

Very soon we will see Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan either being amicus curie to the court on 21st amendment or being the lawyer against the amendment in the supreme court. He has lost all respect and credibility as a politician and lawyer over the last 4 months.

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AJamal

Jan 10, 2015 09:46pm

JUI-F opposition to the 21st amendment means nothing as long as they are part of the government, since this amendment was done by the government.

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Mirza

Jan 10, 2015 09:46pm

13th Century Islamic World was more tolerant because they were following the true sprit of islam

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Mohsin Patel

Jan 10, 2015 10:00pm

@nk here" length of shalwar" expression is used to highlight that people are being killed on minor or on small excuse or differences. Please note as Muslim I am proud of the fact that my faith teaches tolerance as practiced by Prophet.

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Iqbal Khan

Jan 10, 2015 10:01pm

any law should not discriminate any wrong act by any person, in any dress, using any name- religious, ethnic or sectarian- be dealt with equal hands.

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Arshad

Jan 10, 2015 10:03pm

Maulana accepts that terrorists erupts from madressas

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Syed Ali Hussain

Jan 10, 2015 10:04pm

Chauhdry Sahib Fazl ur Rehman has to keep his vote bank intact as he is at home in Realpolitik. He has to confuse the narrative against the Terrorists in the name of Islam. He always choose Book as the election symbol and says Whosoever believe in Quran should vot for the Book. The same rationale Kya Aap Islam Ki Sarbulundi Chahtai hei Haan I am the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

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ash

Jan 10, 2015 10:16pm

Why this act does not clearly mention that every one who takes the law in the hand shall be dealt with iron hand.

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Manzer

Jan 10, 2015 10:17pm

This statement coming from a man of law is astonishing. What was the point of supporting the Chief Justice in his struggle against Musharraf? If only military courts can deliver justice then why not abolish all civil courts? Do we want justice only for terrorism cases? Not sure what his 13th century reference has to do with the present day terrorism. Terrorism really is a very recent phenomena in Pakistan. Wish someone can take us just 30 years back.

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syed wasim haider

Jan 10, 2015 10:21pm

Mr. Aitazaz, sorry to say that people like in PPP and others of your cadre in other political parties accepted party leaders with very little political vision. Mr. Aitazaz u have have wasted your last 6 years of your political life by accepting Mr.Zardari as your party chief. Are there any leader in PPP now like J.K.Rahim, Dr. Mubashar Hasan, Khalid Meraj etc. etc. Why u remained quite when all the present leaders of PPP were making money? What services they are providing to the people of Sind both in urban and rural areas? People still remember the era of Pervaiz Musharaf in Sindh. Please revive PPP; by chanting Jeay Bhutto nothing will be achieved. Bring sincere people on the top. I feel sorry because I have seen the best days of PPP when poor people were benefited directly by the party leaders.

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AXH

Jan 10, 2015 10:36pm

@ordinary citizen - Wrong analogy. They have already come for "everyone" because of the ignorance of the Pakistani society and especially its ruling elite. Fazl does not want to annoy the religious right for his own personal gain and that is why he is playing this dangerous game. Outside of the seminaries that he runs and some other minor like-monded parties, no one will come out in his support.

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S. Haider

Jan 10, 2015 10:37pm

The critique of Mr. Aitzaz Ahnsan is justified. Maulan Fazlur Rehman is weakening the fight against the terror, as he has opened a new debate about the definition of terror. He must know the definition, as he has always shown sympathy, and expressed apology for the brutal Taliban terror. Maulana is a clear example of HYPOCRISY !!

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Raja

Jan 10, 2015 10:47pm

Government and Army together must crackdown all hardliner Mullahs in Pakistan, they are destroying this nation and trying to put this country into stone age period.

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Riaz

Jan 10, 2015 11:03pm

@nk I have not heard it before too; exaggerated to make interesting may be.

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asif

Jan 10, 2015 11:03pm

Fazal along with semi and munawar are fathers of Taliban they should be arrested and hanged no benefit for giving death to terrorists if tree remained there

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Fifo

Jan 10, 2015 11:06pm

Well said Aitazaz, after all what do you expect from maulana. LOL!

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A. Mangal

Jan 10, 2015 11:07pm

Got to ask question to Mr Aitezaz Hasan as to why he became protoje of Iftekhar Chaudhary, (whereas Ms Asma Jahangir didn't) supported a defunct Judiciary which kept on releasing terrorists, tried Musharraf on Lal Masjid wrongfully (which is still a cancer for the peaceful) yet welcoming parties of consensus on military tribunal, and NOT addressing where his party's full term rule inclusive of current regime went wrong on Crime and Punishment being a prominent attorney? Any comments of his would be welcomed!

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anwar

Jan 10, 2015 11:10pm

@Raja and hang him publicly in national stadium

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S Bari

Jan 10, 2015 11:10pm

Maulana is afraid that he may end up in the slammer by the military courts. The law should also be amended to try him, Abdul Aziz of Lal Mosque and likes to try them in military courts for enticing suicide bombers and terrorists.

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not-khaki anda

Jan 10, 2015 11:15pm

PPP leading the titanic ship and holding the outriggers with PMN (Ato Z) (Zia ul HaQ BAQIYAT).

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Riaz Ahmed

Jan 10, 2015 11:18pm

Fazl Reham MUST be the first person to try in military courts for 1. Dividing the nation on terrorism, 2. Protecting the terrorist 3. Get petro dollars to brainwash thousands of innocents Pakistanis kids into terrorism 3. For land and diesel corruption 4. For demanding foreign ambassador to make him prime minister of Pakistan so that he can sell the whole country to her majesty.

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shivan

Jan 10, 2015 11:22pm

A couple of years back I was in an Emirates lounge at the Dubai International. I saw a gentleman wearing trousers the ends of the legs of which were at least two inches above the ankles. I had an impulse to ask him whether he was wearing sharia compliant trousers, but the let it pass. This gentleman could have worn bermudas instead.

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not-khaki anda

Jan 10, 2015 11:34pm

PPP should be renamed from PPP to PMN (Z) (Zia ul Haq's Baqiyat) as they are talking the same language like PMN (X to y).

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Anwar Amjad

Jan 10, 2015 11:35pm

The polarisation of the religious political parties against the legislation is a bad sign. Both JI and JUI-F have reservations which must be sorted out for its effective implementation. The law should target all militants and anti-state elements equally and should not be discriminatory towards any specific group only. All forms of terrorism are evil and must be eliminated. The West can turn the war on terror into war on Islam and get away with it but Pakistan cannot.

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Riaz

Jan 10, 2015 11:37pm

@Raja I have not read anywhere that Maulana Fazul Rehman opposed Military Courts. He said; he had reservations on some clauses of the law. He was not alone there; JI and some other religious parties were also of the same view. I can't comment on their observations as I don't know exactly as to what those are? Can anyone tell me what are his demands and why is he wrong?

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SINER

Jan 10, 2015 11:57pm

I request to Mr. Fazal ur rehamn Please do wear a tight pant/skinny short as per the universal standard and then your every action in all format of life will be appreciated!

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daar

Jan 10, 2015 11:58pm

Mr Aitzaz Ahsan, Your Party PPP was the first one that prompted religious adventurism in constitution.Your party with all other Pakistanis needs to take a shower to get rid of the sins that led to the division of this nation into the dogma of minorities and majorities. Short sightedness of politicians in 1974 led to the creation of an out of control monster that is constantly gaining strength and now requires surgical interventions in the form of military courts. Democratic traditions to amend constitution for illegitimate, unethical discrimination against own human beings in the name of religious majority naturally haunts the nation and needs logical undemocratic means to fix the problem.

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rkc

Jan 11, 2015 12:01am

@Gramscian that's a romanticized history, devoid of facts

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Kadir Khan, TX

Jan 11, 2015 12:06am

JUI in the past was responsible in one way or another for waving path for Army to takeover control from democratic govts in 1965, 1971, 1977 and 1999, We are seeing similar situation prevailing again in 2015. Also this further puts a seal of admiration JUI has for Taliban.

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Wandering Around

Jan 11, 2015 12:24am

@ordinary citizen : No need to lecture him. The guy is an opportunist, going with the flow. Look at his heritage, full of parasites.

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Confused

Jan 11, 2015 12:25am

Its a sad day when people like Aitzaz attack the messenger instead of the message. The Maulana's message is clear: All types of terrorism are equal. Mr Barrister, your message isn't. It is you who reeks of opportunism and not Maulana. It is shameful that people believing in a liberal democracy have to side with the Maulana and against Aitzaz.

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fida sayani USA

Jan 11, 2015 12:42am

First Rabbani, I cried when I voted for the amendment, because of my conscience, a phony crocodile tears. Now we have Ahsan trying to justify his vote. The fact is that if any of them had a character, which is required of a honorable man, they both should have voted against the amendment or resigned from the party. Besides there is no democracy in PPP. It is controlled by the Family.

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ordinary citizen

Jan 11, 2015 02:21am

@AXH so where were they, when Buttho was hanged or banagali intelligensia were murdered in univerties..... Reciprocating what religious parties did for establishment then will not bring any different result. As secularism by gun is no different then theocracy,. Letting establishment lose will result in same success as we had in 71.

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Vivek

Jan 11, 2015 02:22am

As long as there will exist good terrorist and bad terrorist..pakistan will go only in one direction

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Jawad

Jan 11, 2015 02:23am

Mr Ahsan --- did you retract from your stance on interior minister --- And not provide the proof of allegations you made against him??? But then again -- if you do it , it's ok.

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Shaikh

Jan 11, 2015 02:36am

@ordinary citizen , the barrister is not on slippery slope and your quote proves it, now they are coming for me and I need protection, the civil courts are afraid of terrorists and they let them go. Others much more advanced democracies have done the same.

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alifbay

Jan 11, 2015 02:46am

If anyone breaks a law, he or she should be tried in a normal court. Military courts are an anomaly. These are internal disciplinary tools specifically for the military which applies its own laws, and rules of conduct, and do not apply to civilians. If a country is under a military dictatorship, then the military can designate all courts for administering military law across the board. The political hierarchy, in formulating the National Action Plan, simply reaffirms a plain fact which is that Pakistan remains, as always, a military state. These politicians do not have the courage to stand up and be counted.

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Jawad

Jan 11, 2015 02:48am

I really used to respect him. Up until recently. Well ! They're all the same. Shedding crocodile tears and giving excuses for voting --- It is against the democratic value to vote for army courts -- but I will ----- toooo??? We know there is was huge dhandali in election (illegal and undemocratic )but still I support the PM. ? To save democracy ? I have proof Mr interior minister that you are corrupt. But I won't say anything -- ?? to save democracy. Moral less politicians. Using democracy like a toy. And he was suppose to be a better one , the rest of them !we know all about.

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Jawad

Jan 11, 2015 02:49am

@king And that he is a liar. Oh. Wait. Lawyer.

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Jawad

Jan 11, 2015 02:50am

@Gramscian Agreed.

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Shaikh

Jan 11, 2015 03:00am

@SINER , right you are we need to change our dressing code, workers with shalwar, are not efficient one feels going to bed, one more thing you did not mention his toppee.

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Mohammed Abbasi

Jan 11, 2015 03:43am

well said Aitzaz

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Zainab

Jan 11, 2015 03:43am

Strange, that the comments supporting the amendment to sideline the judiciary are coming from a lawyer ! God help Pakistan.

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Zainab

Jan 11, 2015 03:45am

@nk How many Pakistanis do you think will ask the same question from Aitzaz

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Zainab

Jan 11, 2015 03:49am

@Manzer He flows with the wind. In Pakistan, this is the way to succeed.

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Indian Dalit

Jan 11, 2015 04:06am

It is all great talk Mr. Ahsan, I hope you used this wisdom while representing the corrupt PPP regime.

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zafar

Jan 11, 2015 04:06am

He's trying to blackmail the gov.

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Taimoor Khan

Jan 11, 2015 04:23am

I am a staunch opponent of Maulana but he has raise a very valid point. A terrorist is a terrorist, regardless if he is bearded or clean shaved in suite and tie or jeans. The likes of Saulat Mirza and Ajmal Pahari have killed 50 odd people each. How they have escaped the gallows is mind boggling.

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Iqbal Malik

Jan 11, 2015 04:27am

@Raja I have no doubt about it but a person who's lawyer shouldn't support it. This bother me.

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Jan 11, 2015 05:37am

@nk this is a general comment on the state of fear created by Mullah's and fundamentalists. People are afraid to speak up. People are afraid that some Mullah may get angry with them and get them trapped into a blasphemy case from which they could never get out. Layers are scared to take up blasphemy cases because they will be killed. Judges are afraid to decide on those cases because they will be murdered. And things are getting worse every day. Unless somebody, somehow does something (and quickly), we are doomed as a nation. We are going backwards into stone aga at a very fast speed. If people are not being killed because of the length of their Shalwar today, the day is approaching very quickly when they will be. Wake up.

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Javaid Bashir

Jan 11, 2015 06:57am

@Gramscian At least they did not need 21st amendment or the military courts to deal with the militants and extremists.

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Javaid Bashir

Jan 11, 2015 07:00am

@Raja Is not he the same Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan , who charged Ex - Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani a rupee for pleading his case before the S.C, and cost him Premiership.

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Javaid Bashir

Jan 11, 2015 07:06am

@AK You are hundred percent Correct. Mr. Ahsan is equally responsible for the long silence over the terrorists issue..It reminds us of Julius Caesar, Whose dying words were , You too Brutus.

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Javaid Bashir

Jan 11, 2015 07:08am

@AK Do not blame PPP for his shortcomings?

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Javaid Bashir

Jan 11, 2015 07:10am

@ash Because they have no Iron hand or the Iron Will,

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Riaz

Jan 11, 2015 10:33am

@asif Why don't you say same about "Rights Groups" too; they are against Military Courts. Maulana Fazlur Rehman etc are not against the Military Courts but have reservations against some provisions of the respective law.

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ashraf

Jan 11, 2015 10:40am

There are many good reasons why the ATC should mainly concentrate on cases of religious terrorists : 1) This is an extra ordinary measure to save our religion & the country from an existentialist threat 2) Even if it wanted, it is not possible for the ATC courts to try every single case , Military courts were not an easy decision, but a matter of national priority and the entire parliament has agreed reluctantly since the normal judicial system had failed on this count. The debate now is not whether, but how to do it most effectively ...Hapless Pakistanis are looking for results & not academic debate..

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Malik

Jan 11, 2015 11:03am

A confused and hypocrite political elite. This generation of politician, will always be remember as a black chapter of history of Pakistan.

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Riaz

Jan 11, 2015 11:25am

Asma has opposed too; any comments?

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Indialover

Jan 12, 2015 08:28am

Blame India/USA/Israel........ Hahahahahahaha

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SAB

Jan 12, 2015 10:46am

Like a good lawyer, Aitzaz presents his case well - be it for former CJ who turned out to be an incompetent and greedy person or the 21st amendment!!!

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syed shah

Jan 12, 2015 12:07pm

@nk it happened in Swat, a teacher was killed by a so called taliban...for arguing and not agreeing to raise shalwar painchay, i am sure there are many other incidents, but that one i remember clearly...very chilling to know stupid jahill people calling selves Taliban.

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Shafiq Khan

Jan 12, 2015 04:15pm

@nk Sir, you will be better advised if you could understand the use of metaphor.

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Shafiq Khan

Jan 12, 2015 04:23pm

@I. Ahmed Your respect for the Learned Senator is obvious, what is your point?

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Shafiq Khan

Jan 12, 2015 04:24pm

@Ahmer The Law of the Land. Why can not you read?