Pakistan establishes military tribunals for terrorism cases For the next two years, extremists on trial in Pakistan on terrorism charges will face military officers, not civilian judges. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made the announcement after a lengthy meeting of the political and security establishment, The New York Times reported. The move, announced in a brief televised address to the nation, is part of a 20-point plan to turn the tide against violent Muslim extremism that has claimed tens of thousands of lives in recent years. It comes in the wake of the slaughter of 132 children by Pakistani Taliban on December 16 in an attack that also claimed the lives of 16 others. Among the measures announced were the establishment of a special force to deal with terrorism and a commitment not to allow outlawed Islamist extremist groups to operate under other names. Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party has itself been suspected of maintaining ties to the extremists, the Times reported. Arif Rafiq, a Washington-based Pakistani, told the Times that improving the civilian judicial system also had to be part of any comprehensive plan to overcome the extremists. Newspaper columnist Mosharraf Zaidi said that until Sharif took power, No one in his position thus far has been this clear or this decisive in linking extremism to terrorism. He said Sharifs plan gives Pakistan a fighting chance at a better future though weve seen false dawns before, the Times reported. The premier was able to get the leaders of the main political parties, who had initially opposed the move, to agree to the establishment of military courts, according to Geo TV in Pakistan. Elsewhere, the countrys president, Mamnoon Hussain, appealed to all Pakistanis to unite against, what he termed, a handful of extremists. Hussain and Sharif are both members of the same political party. Meanwhile , Under the plan, executions of convicted terrorists have resumed. Special trial courts are being established under military supervision, these special courts’ tenure will be 2 years. Armed struggle and militant groups will have no place anywhere in Pakistan. Anti-terrorism institute NACTA is being revived and will soon be functioning. Literature promoting violence, sectarianism and extremism will be curbed. Funding sources of terrorists and terror outfits will completely be shutdown. Banned outfits will not have permission to work under alias. Decision to form special anti-terrorism force has been taken. Protection of religious minorities is being ensured to stop religious extremism. Registrations and regulation of religious institutions are being arranged. Promotion of terrorists and their messages will completely be banned from print and electronic media. Immediate return of IDPs will be deemed priority, administration arrangements in FATA are being speeded up. Social and communication networks of terrorists will eliminated fully. Immediate steps are being taken to prevent propagation of terrorist message on internet and social media. No space for terrorists including areas in Punjab will be available to terrorists. The ongoing operation in Karachi will be completed. Government of Balochistan is being given full autonomy by all stakeholders keeping in view the political reconciliation. . Decisive action is being taken against the elements behind sectarianism. A comprehensive policy about Afghan refugees is being formed. Political parties had on late Wednesday reached a consensus over the issue of setting up military courts for tackling terrorism cases in the country. The agreement was reached during a meeting of parliamentary leaders at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which earlier expressed reservations, agreed on the setting up of military tribunals. The Awami National Party (ANP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) have also reportedly supported the move. “This is historic occasion for our nation,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at the concluding session. “Our resolve to fight terror is a strong message for those who want to destroy Pakistan. Time for half baked decisions is over,” the prime minister said. Sources : newsmaxworld/Asia/pakistan-military-tribunals-terrorism/2014/12/25/id/614931/ dailytimes.pk/national/25-Dec-2014/military-manned-special-tribunals-to-try-terrorists
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 11:18:15 +0000
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