ISLAMABAD:
The Senate on Tuesday turned down the opposition’s demand seeking public opinion before passing the bill to amend Pakistan Army Act 1952 to try terrorists accused in military courts which it said was inconsistent with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court (SC) in the 21st Amendment case, reported local media authorities.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar raised the issue when Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif moved the bill seeking approval of the upper house of parliament but it was turned down through a voice vote, it was revealed.
Babar said that the SC in its majority verdict of 13 to four had held that parliament could make constitutional amendments but such amendments were subject to judicial review, sources further added.
Out of these 13 judges a majority of eight judges held that military courts did not militate against the salient features of the Constitution in respect of independence of judiciary, he added.
