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President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday gave his formal assent to the Pakistan Army Act 2017 and the 23rd Constitutional Amendment Bill ─ the two pieces of legislation aimed at granting legal cover to military courts.
When it was tabled the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill was titled the the 23rd Constitutional Amendment Bill. However, it will now be called the 28th amendment bill.
It was presented along with the the Army Act 1952 before the Senate earlier this week.
Military courts were disbanded on January 7, 2017, after a sunset clause included in the legal provisions under which the tribunals were established, expired.
Till recently, the government and the opposition had struggled to reach a consensus on reviving the courts despite frequent discussions.
The primary concern of critics was the mystery surrounding military court trials: no one knows who the convicts are, what charges have been brought against them, or what the accused's defence is against the allegations levelled.
Proponents say said the courts had acted as an "effective deterrent" for those considering violent acts.
Inquiry commission bill signed
The president also signed the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 2017 which was presented by the government before the Senate in the wake of the Panamagate controversy last year.
The bill was introduced by the PML-N after then chief justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali refused to form a “toothless” inquiry commission on Panamagate under the erstwhile Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 1956.
Earlier this month, the Senate passed the government’s commission of inquiry bill with four amendments, one of which makes it mandatory for the government to make the commission’s report public within 30 days of submitting it.
The bill was presented in the National Assembly for a second time after the Senate made amendments to it. It was passed by the assembly last week.
Comments (19) Closed
good
Bravo PML-N government!
The ghost courts have turned the state into a more sinister apparition devoid of heart and soul.
Sad day for Democracy in Pakistan.
As long as the threats of militants is there, military courts should be operative.
Excellent
We are not yet fit to be out of the 'Doctrines of Necessities' and a full democratic dispensation of governance.
@Syed F. Hussaini I second your opinion. There is no place for military courts in a democracy, if we deem our country to be one. The effort should be to strengthen the judicial system, instead of creating a parallel justice system.
@M. Emad, Death sentences are very common in many US states. What is your comment on this? I am sure you do not have solid reply.,
We have reached a state where govt machinery is colluded with corruption and thus this is the only way left to incite justice in the system unfortunately
What are the constitutional amendments from the number 23 to 27?
@Mudassar
Thank you, Sir!
The move to maintain Military Courts is plausible and should be lauded but the modus operandi adopted by these courts raises some serious concern; public should be addressed about the methodology they purse for conviction.
The extension proved that our judicial system is badly deteriorated and is incapable to work effectively in this so-called crisis.
well done !!
An ordinary citizen of Pakistan can be presented now in military courts but a military person cannot be presented in a civil court...........What INJUSTICE?
Good move. Outsource more civic responsibilities to the military.
Good ,
An excellent decision by the Government.
We still need them. So far still not able to stop terrorism in Pakistan.