PPP suggests one-year extension in military courts

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that the party has given a suggestion of one year extension of military courts. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, the PPP leader said that we will take the matter of extension of military courts to the Parliament. “I am not against the military courts; I am only giving my suggestions,” he said. He said that we want such a law which has a clear definition of ‘terrorism’. Only 14, 15 people are punished in military courts while the rest of the cases are pending. Rangers are given separate powers in Sindh and Punjab, he said. He said that the PPP will present 9 points before the government. The points include that the accused should have a write to appoint a counsel of his choice. The law should provide for an appeal in High Court and the High Court should be bound to give a verdict on the appeal in 60 days. The evidence should be presented against those who need to be arrested. The arrested suspects must be produced before court in 24 hours. Criticizing the government, Zardari said that we have never seen a government without a foreign minister. “The non-implementation on National Action Plan is due to the non-seriousness of the government. The federal government didn’t give funds to the provinces under NAP,” he added. Read: Parliamentary leaders agree to extend military courts for two years