Parliamentary leaders agree to extend military courts for two years

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Parliamentary leaders have on Tuesday agreed to extend the tenure of military courts for two years. The decision was taken during their meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, which was attended by leaders of different political parties. Talking to media in Islamabad, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the process would require amendments in the Constitution and the relevant law and therefore, sessions of both the National Assembly and the Senate are being convened. The minister said that the decision has been taken with consensus, adding that he hope the PPP, which has convened a meeting of political parties on Saturday, would also take a decision as per requirements of the country. On the occasion, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that all political parties including PPP are convinced that the country is passing through extraordinary circumstances and military courts are need of the hour. Qureshi said that a decision has been taken to constitute a Parliamentary Oversight Committee which would see to it that the government sticks to the timelines envisaged in the amendment. The committee would meet once every two months. Jamat-e-Islami leader Sahibzada Tariqullah said that terrorists are terrorists and terrorism should not be linked with the religion, adding that the terrorists should be dealt with an iron hand. Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Qaumi Watan Party leader Aftab Khan Sherpao said all parties are resolved to address the issue of terrorism.