Govt extends scope of military courts to Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK

Published January 13, 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. — AP/File
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. — AP/File

ISLAMABAD: During a meeting to review implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Tuesday, the government decided to extend the scope of military courts to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The high-level meeting at the Prime Minister's House in the federal capital approved that Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK Councils would also adopt the 21st Constitutional Amendment as well as the Amendment in the Army Act 1952 to facilitate formation of military courts in those areas.

The premier was also briefed on legislative and administrative measures as well as the progress on sub-committees regarding implementation of the NAP.

Also read: Nawaz constitutes special committee to implement National Action Plan

The NAP was drafted in the wake of the Peshawar school attack to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism.

As part of the NAP, it was also decided to set up military courts in the country to try terror suspects. Last month, political parties had reached a consensus on the establishment of military courts after several rounds of a multi-party conference which was also attended by the country's military leadership.

In order to provide constitutional cover to the establishment of military courts, the Parliament had then adopted the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill and the The Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2015.

Last week, the Pakistan Army had announced the establishment of the first group of nine military courts.

Read more: Nine military courts set up

No room for terrorism, terrorists in our society, says PM Nawaz

"We are taking all steps necessary to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan's soil," PM Nawaz told the meeting today.

The premier made it clear that there is no room for terrorism or terrorists in the society. He also said that the government is determined not to be at ease until the last terrorist is eliminated from the country.

A PM House spokesman told Dawn that officials were informed that since Dec 23, 2014 in Punjab and Islamabad territories, 164 cases have been registered for delivery of hate speech and hate material whereas 157 persons have been arrested. Moreover, 40 printing presses and shops have also been sealed.

The meeting's participants were also apprised that 1,994 cases have been registered, while 1,088 persons have been arrested over the misuse of loudspeakers. The meeting was told that details from provinces, other than Punjab, are still awaited.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Attorney General Salman Butt, Secretary Law Barrister Zafarullah, Federal Secretary for Ministry of Interior Shahid Khan and National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) Coordinator Hamid Ali Khan are attending the meeting.

Take a look: No room for further debate on National Action Plan in NA: Nawaz

Opinion

Editorial

General malfeasance
Updated 12 Dec, 2024

General malfeasance

Will Gen Faiz Hameed's trial prove to be a long overdue comeuppance or just another smokescreen?
Electricity rates
12 Dec, 2024

Electricity rates

THE government is renegotiating power purchase agreements with private power producers to slash their capacity...
Aggression in Syria
12 Dec, 2024

Aggression in Syria

TAKING advantage of the chaos in post-Assad Syria, Israel has proceeded to grab more of the Arab state’s land,...
Madressah politics
Updated 11 Dec, 2024

Madressah politics

The curriculum taught must be free of hate and prejudice, while madressah students need to be taught life skills to later contribute to economy.
Targeting travellers
11 Dec, 2024

Targeting travellers

THE country’s top tax authority seems to have run out of good ideas. According to news reports, the Federal Board...
Grieving elephants
11 Dec, 2024

Grieving elephants

FOR most, the news will perhaps not even register. Another elephant has died in captivity in Pakistan. The death is...