THERE appears to be a lot of confusion about military courts. Military courts may not be capable of ideal justice supported by elaborate evidence in an open court, but let us remember we are at war with a ruthless and unprincipled enemy.

There are no conventions in this war ; and witnesses do not dare appear in an open court. The military never holds a court before shooting at the enemy; inevitably some innocent people also get killed. Killing human beings in war or peace is not something to be applauded in any case; it is, however, an unavoidable evil.

In terrorism cases society can only get military justice or no justice at all. In a democratic state the ultimate choice is with the people; however, we ought to consider the life-threats that civilian courts, especially the prosecutors , face in such cases. Rarely a judge would dare punish a terrorist.

Brig (r) Usman Shah

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2017