Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Military courts awarded death sentence and life imprisonment to 7 hardcore terrorists and Chief of Army Staff has confirmed death sentence of culprits.
According to Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), hardcore terrorists were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, men slaughtering, suicide bombing, abduction for ransom, colossal damage to life and property. They were tried by military courts established under the Pakistan Army ( Amendment) Act, 2015. In view of the nature and gravity of offences preferred against each, 6 terrorists have been awarded death sentences and one life imprisonment by the military courts. Today sentences of death have been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff. The convicts have the right to file an appeal before the court of appeals
Those awarded death sentence include Noor Saeed , Haider ali , Murad Khan, Inayatullah, Israr uddin and Qari Zahir . Abbas has been awarded life imprisonment.
It may be mentioned that Military courts have been established in Pakistan under 21st constitutional Amendment and working effectively to against terrorists since January 2015. The amendment removes the right to a trial by civilian courts for those suspected of terrorist acts while Army Act was also amended to empower military to try civilian suspects who are involved in raising arms against the state; murder; creating terror or insecurity; possessing and using explosives, including suicide jackets; kidnapping for ransom; and receiving funding for such purposes.
The amendment was introduced to deal with extraordinary circumstances facing by Pakistan, because normal courts were shy to try hardcore terrorists due to threats to all members of judicial system from lawyers to judges. A number of lawyers were killed by terrorists who were proceeding cases against terrorists in courts.
A number of terrorists have been hanged in Pakistan since January 2015, resulting a wave of security among people who are following cases against terrorists. Pakistan is revamping its criminal procedure to deal with exceptional circumstances country is facing in its war against terror.
