ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Monday unfolded its nine legislative proposals in case of revival of Military Courts.
In a Press Conference in Islamabad, the former President and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari unfolded the salient features of proposals which according to the PPP Secretary General Senator Farhatullah Babar, aimed at safeguarding bare minimum standards of Constitutionally guaranteed fair trial on the one hand and to prevent the misuse of Military Courts for political victimization and witch hunting.
Following are salient features of PPP’s legislative proposals:-
- The military courts will be presided over by 1 Session Judge or Additional Session Judge along with a military officer,
- The Sessions Judge / Additional sessions Judge will be nominated by the concerned Chief Justice,
- The period will be for 1 year from starting date,
- Right of Judicial Review by High Courts under Article 199 of the Constitution,
- The High Court shall decide the case within 60 day,
- Accused to be produced within 24 hours before the concerned Court,
- Accused to be supplied with grounds of arrest within 24 hours,
- Accused shall have right to engage a consul of his choice,
- Provisions of Qanoon-e-Shahadat 1984 shall apply,
The Military Courts ceased to function in January 2017 following the expiry of its two-year term granted under the 21st Constitutional amendment.
Later on February 28, Parliamentary leaders from major political parties including the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) agreed on revival of Military Courts for further two years.
