The government on Sunday geared up efforts with political parties to evolve consensus on grant of another 3-year extension to military courts for rapid trial of hardcore terrorists.
The 2-year term of military courts has expired last year and the government has sought another 3-year extension under a draft constitutional amendment given the extraordinary situation and grave threats to national security and integrity of the country.
The recent development to expedite the process came after the recent spate of terror attacks across the country, forcing the Prime Minister to instruct Ishaq Dar to reach out the political parties and Speaker National Assembly for convening an early meeting of parliamentary parties' leaders.
Dar held telephonic conversation with parliamentary leaders of all political parties and underscored the need for an early solution of the issue especially in the given security situation when the terrorists have resurfaced.
According to statement issued here on Sunday, the Finance Minister emphasised the need to build a consensus among all political party leaders on this important matter.
The parliamentary leaders who were contacted via telephone included Farooq Sattar of MQM, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour of ANP, Sahibzada Tariqullah of Jamaat e Islami, Shah Jee Gul Afridi from FATA, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed of Awami Muslim League and others.
Ironically, the statement did not mention about any contact made with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Shireen Mazari, who are representing their party in the parliamentary committee led by Speaker National Assembly.
The statement added that Dar highlighted significance of extending the working of military courts for rapid trial of terrorists and emphasised consensus among all the party leaders on this important issue.
He also made telephone call to Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq seeking facilitation for early convening of the meeting of special parliamentary committee on the subject of military courts.
He urged the Speaker to advance the meeting of the main Parliamentary Committee on the subject and hold it on February 23 instead of February 27 as earlier scheduled.
He advised the Speaker that since the meeting of Sub Committee is scheduled on February 22 to discuss the draft of the constitutional amendment, adding it would be appropriate to convene the main Committee on February 23 to facilitate early decision on giving extension to military courts.
He reiterated that recent spate of terrorist attacks across the country called for a co-ordinated and fitting response.
The Minister said early decision on extension in functioning of military courts will strengthen all anti-terror efforts.
Meanwhile, according to a spokesperson for National Assembly Secretariat, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also held telephonic conversation with parliamentary parties' leaders to discuss expediting the process. According to the Speaker, all political parties are on the same page against terrorism and parliamentary leaders have expressed the resolve for effective steps against terrorists.
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