Govt extends scope of military courts to Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK

PM says no room for terrorism, terrorists in Pakistani society

The federal government on Tuesday decided to extend the scope of military courts to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

A high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s House decided that Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK legislative councils would also adopt the 21st Constitutional Amendment as well as the amendment in the Army Act 1952 to facilitate formation of military courts in those areas.

The premier was also briefed on legislative and administrative measures as well as the progress on sub-committees regarding implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), which was drafted in the wake of the Peshawar school attack to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism.

“We are taking all steps necessary to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan’s soil,” the prime minister told the meeting’s participants. Sharif said that the government is determined not to rest until the last terrorist is eliminated from the country.

A PM House spokesman said that officials were informed that since Dec 23, 2014, 164 cases have been registered in Punjab and Islamabad against hate speech and hate material whereas 157 persons have been arrested. Moreover, 40 printing presses and shops have also been sealed.

The meeting’s participants were also apprised that 1,994 cases have been registered, while 1,088 persons have been arrested over the misuse of loudspeakers. The meeting was told that details from provinces, other than Punjab, are still awaited.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Attorney General Salman Butt, Secretary Law Barrister Zafarullah, Federal Secretary for Interior Shahid Khan and National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) Coordinator Hamid Ali Khan attended the meeting.