Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said on Thursday that extension in period of military courts, which was set up for two years after December 2014 attacks on schoolchildren in Peshawar, would be considered as failure of the government. Fazl, while talking to media persons at the party provincial headquarter in Peshawar, spoke against a draft law which if passed will make military courts permanent. He said that it was being implied that judges from civil courts are "cowards". "Forming military courts is an insult to civil judges," he said.
JUI-F chief furthermore added that the draft of a new law was being under discussion to give permanent status to military courts and integrate the Protection of Pakistan Act and Anti-Terrorism Act. However, he added it will be considered as failure of the government as it was originally set up for two years.
"Instead of forming military courts, we should address the issues that judges in civil courts face. Why can't we give security to civil judges?" he said. "What is the point of such courts where accused are produced in a state of fear? This is against basic justice," he said.
Referring to PTI's politics on Panama Papers issue, Maulana said the party is confused and oscillates between the parliament and the court for probe into the matter. He reaffirmed the JUI-F stance regarding merger of Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Commenting on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Fazl said the project was being made controversial for personnel benefits. "Till the time there were serious reservations, we raised our voice and tried to sort out matters. But we cannot be party to non-serious issues", he said. Talking to the merger of FATA into KP, JUI-F chief said that he sticks with his approach that referendum should be conducted to whether tribal belt want to merge with KP.
JUI-F chief welcomed return of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari to the country from abroad, and hoped Asif Ali Zardari will play an active role in the national politics. He said that the Pakistan People's Party had changed its political stance. He said that no member of the JUI-F was involved in corruption. "Those trying to stir a storm in a teacup should be ashamed of themselves," he said.