PPP quaffs yet another ‘chalice of poison’
Those pushing for military courts managed to knock together a two-thirds majority in the senate despite three of the government allies – JUI-F, BNP-M and PKMAP – jumping the ship. The only party which could have effectively blocked the passage of the bill was the PPP with a solid block of 27 senators.
The PPP was offered concessions. The term “religious and sectarian” to define terrorism which had been removed from the draft law was once again inserted in it to bring it in line with the 21st amendment passed in January 2015 with the express purpose of introducing the military courts. Four of the nine demands put up by the party were accepted. The government also agreed to set up a Parliamentary Committee on National Security. What mainly led the PPP to support the military courts this time was the strong desire on the part of its leadership to improve its frayed relations with the military high command. The amendment was passed in the Senate meeting presided over by a calm and cool Raza Rabbani who had shed tears when he voted for the military courts two years back. Only days ago he had said he should have resigned at the time. Like some others in the party he had concluded that wisdom sans a personal constituency is of little benefit in electoral politics.
After passing the 21st amendment in January 2015 the parliament did little to pressurise the government to fulfill the promise of judicial reforms. Unless necessary changes are made in laws and legal procedures, the army courts will have to be given another lease of life in 2019 despite their being an anomaly in the democratic system and serious reservations about their effectiveness. With the election campaign having already started, the PPP and PTI have a lot on their hands. One expects comparatively more equable and competent members of the senate to prepare recommendations for judicial reforms during the period and pursue their enactment later instead of crying over the spilt milk every time.