PPP leaders say country’s security situation compelled them to say yes to military courts, warn against their ‘misuse’
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asked political parties to take notice of the “attempts by some elements” to destabilise the Sindh provincial government.
In a statement, the PPP co-chairman said that the party had reasons to believe that former dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf was hobnobbing with some elements to destabilise the provincial government.
PPP Spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar reportedly said that the PPP co-chairman also warned that the PPP will never permit the success of any such attempt.
Zardari also said that PPP was a united political force and those seeking to topple the Sindh provincial government through “horse trading” will not succeed in their designs.
WHY PPP AGREED TO MILIATRY COURTS:
In the meanwhile, PPP leaders have said that it was a difficult task to develop consensus over establishing military courts in the country but the political leadership agreed to their formation “in the interest of the nation” and “to end terrorism and extremism”.
Talking to media during a visit to Sukkur IBA on Sunday, PPP Senior Vice President Sherry Rehman said PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari during his speech on the seventh death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Buksh clarified that though his party accepted formation of military courts “it would not let misuse of the new law”.
Rehman said that PPP’s legal counsels will look into the issue of military courts law and they “will not be allowed to become permanent” but it will be ensured that these courts will be for a limited timeframe and deal with terrorism-related cases only.
Throughout its history, PPP has supported the armed forces and the police, said Rehman, adding, “Today it is backing the army to boost their morale in the ongoing war against terrorism.”
The PPP leader said that issues settled by the parliament and the consensus of political forces having representation in the National Assembly should not be made an issue of discussion in media.
Also speaking on the occasion, National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Shah said, “PPP does not favour the formation of military courts during the rule of a democratic government but it agreed to their formation due to the grievous security situation.”
Referring to PPP’s rally in Garhi Khuda Baksh, Shah said that party policies were not settled in such gatherings, adding that party decisions are taken at the party’s Central Executive Committee meetings.
Shah said that his party will not let anybody “do politics” on the issue of military courts, neither will it allow the law to be “misused for vengeance”.
He also urged the media to show responsibility.
