Editorial Getting closer to success The All-Party Conference convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday decided to amend the Constitution to provide for trial of terror suspects by military courts for a period of two years. The amendment endorsed by the APC will be known as the 22nd Amendment. It will be tabled in the National Assembly on Saturday and in Senate on Tuesday. The proposed amendment bill calls for amending Article 175 of the Constitution (Establishment and Jurisdiction of Courts) and the First Schedule of the Constitution, which contains laws exempted from operation of Article 8 (1) and (2) the clauses pertaining to fundamental rights. The APC decided about the implementation of the National Action Plan and endorsed the proposed legislative measures, including amendments to the Pakistan Army Act to extend its jurisdiction for speedy trial of cases under specified acts and provide the constitutional cover with a sunset clause of two years from the date of enactment, said a joint declaration issued after the conference which lasted about six hours. Finally all the political parties have agreed on something extremely necessary and important for the survival of the country. It is great to see these political parties on one platform discussing one major issue which pertains to the security and servival of Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his team also deserve an applause for bringing all the political parties and the Army on one table to discuss ways and means for bringing peace and harmony in the country. The Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif also deserves appreciation for supporting the political setup and taking the responsibility with regard to the establishment of the military courts. General Raheel Sharif has righly said that special courts are not the desire of the army but need of extraordinary times. Now the next step is the smooth sailing of this constitutional amendment bill by the National Assembly and the Senate. There are no doubts that due to the majority of PML(N) in the National Assembly, the present 22nd Amendment bill will easily be passed. Though PML(N) is in minority in Senate but due to support of Asif Ali Zardaris Pakistan Peoples Party, the PML(N) will also be successful in securing the passage of this bill from the Senate in coming week. The former president has certainly played an active and positive role in the implementation of National Action Plan and this decision of Asif Ali Zardari will certainly be remembered in good words in history. There is no doubt that in democracy there is no such thing as military courts or messing around with fundamental rights mentioned in the constitution. But it is all being done due to the severity and harsh circumstances of terrorism. And since last few years many similar bills have been passed in the western world as well. According to Human Rights Watch In the United States, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 codifies indefinite detention without charge of the 169 detainees currently at Guantanamo Bay as well as of future terrorism suspects. Such detention has not been part of the US legal code since the McCarthy era anti-communist sweeps in the 1950s. Similarly France has passed a variety of anti-terrorist laws, the first of which being the 19th century restricting freedom of expression. Today, magistrates in the Justice Ministry anti-terrorism unit have authority to detain people suspected of conspiracy in relation to terrorism while evidence is gathered against them. In Great Britain, the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005(c 2) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, intended to deal with the Law Lords ruling of 16 December 2004 that the detention without trial of eight foreigners (known as the Belmarsh 8) at HM Prison Belmarshunder Part 4 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 was unlawful, being incompatible with European (and, thus, domestic) human rights laws. The Act allowed the Home Secretary to impose control orders on people who were suspected of involvement interrorism, which in some cases may have derogated (opt out) from human rights laws. Pakistan being a front line soldier in war against terrorism has made the right decision, through very late as well. These decisions should have been made right after it was known that terrorist organisations such as TTP have been formed in Pakistan. Alhough it is never too late to learn from the past mistakes but Pakistan has to do so much more now in order to get rid itself from the whirl and waves of terrorism. The present amendment in constitution is suppose to last for two years which means the government does not not much time either. It is for sure going to be a big test for the Nawaz Sharif government before the next elections. If PML(N) fails to deliver then it will land itself in political corpse. Army on the other hand has also taken up a big challenge besides the many challenges it is already facing. Pakistan must successfully come out of all these challenges and ensure a healthy and prosperous future for itself. Yesterdays session and actions of All Parties Conference will certainly put us on the right direction in getting closer to success of the elimination of terrorism from Pakistan.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:26:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015