Interior minister says military courts will try terrorists only, action to be taken against madrassas having proven links with extremists
Says four Islamic countries approached to plug foreign funding for terrorists
Says special courts do not suggest inefficacy of country’s judicial system
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday proposed that there should be national security emergency in the country for the next two years because there is a need to focus time, energy and resources on achieving the country’s security targets within this timeframe.
Addressing a news conference, the minister said that military courts would not be used to try civilians, politicians, madrassas, businessmen and media personnel, adding that no political party has militant wings.
“Only terrorism-related cases would be tried in the special courts,” said Nisar, adding that the new laws would only be used against terrorists indulging in anti-state activities.
The minister emphasised that the country’s normal judicial system would continue to function simultaneously.
“The establishment of special courts is not a show of no-confidence in the judicial system,” said Nisar, adding that the “extraordinary circumstances” warrant the setting up of military courts.
“The Pakistan Army, police and security agencies would present terrorists before special courts where they would get full opportunity to defend themselves,” said Nisar, adding that special courts headed by army officers also work under laws, rules and regulations.
He dispelled the impression that military courts are being constituted under pressure from the army.
The minister said that the Peshawar tragedy was not an intelligence failure as “timely alerts are issued to all provinces”.
“Agencies have been sharing intelligence but the provinces are responsible for taking preventive measures or any other action.”
COUNTER-TERROR ACTION SO FAR:
Nisar said that tackling terrorism requires “collective national efforts in which every citizen will have to be mobilised”.
Providing details of the counter terror National Action Plan, Nisar said SHOs have been tasked to keep an eye on all those entering and leaving the area of their jurisdiction besides monitoring hotels in the localities.
Nisar said that the federal and provincial agencies have already started action to identify Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) terrorists, their supporters, financiers and planners.
“Around 400 intelligence-based operations were conducted over the past three months in which 100 terrorists were killed and 250 were arrested,” said Nisar, adding that operations are being launched in Federal Areas as well as in provinces to arrest illegal residents.
“About 500 such people have been arrested from the suburbs of Islamabad.”
Nisar said that an exercise has been initiated to gather data of all Afghan refugees in Pakistan who were “supposed to be in camps but unfortunately have spread to different parts of the country.”
COUNTER-TERROR ACTION COMING UP:
The minister said a meeting of Ulema organisations would be convened in Islamabad to seek their help in implementation of the decisions of the National Action Plan.
“Most madrassas have nothing to do with extremism. Action would only be taken against seminaries supporting and promoting extremism,” said Nisar, adding that the evidence would be shared.
Nisar said there would be zero tolerance against hate literature or speech. “Such literature would be confiscated and action taken against those involved in such activities.”
The minister said there should not be glorification of militants or their activities, adding that those misusing loudspeakers would be arrested.
He also urged media not to publicise messages or threats of militants.
He said that law enforcement agencies would block financial resources of terrorists.
“The 60 banned organisations would not be allowed to operate under any other name and agencies would identify their accounts and seize them,” said Nisar. However, all banned organisation do not comprise terrorists and action would be taken against those involved in terrorism against the state, added Nisar.
He said that four Islamic countries had been contacted to ensure that terrorists get no funding from abroad.
“The four brotherly countries are not providing finances for terrorism. They are sincerely providing assistance for seminaries and are being approached to ensure that it is not misused by the recipients,” said Nisar.
in my humble opinion, the propsal of ch nisar disclosed before press conference for establishing special court for a period of two years by military is hailed by every citizen and sundry. Please go ahead forthwith as the whole nation consider it appropriate at this critical time
i think it is a good proposal considering the precarious conditions of the country. We need to take major steps to combat and root out extremism, militancy and terrorism. I applaud him for delivering a fine speech. He has laid down the salient points of implementing the Action Plan.
He explained in detail the steps already taken by the government, and outlined the further steps to be taken. The citizens should do their duty and keep an eye on the doubtful characters. We must stop funding or giving donations to the supporters of the terrorists and hate speech mongers.
WE need to get rid of these criminal , extremist and and militants. We want to make the Pakistan of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Let us build Pakistan in Reality.
Ive always been a big fan of khakis – half my family are in the navy, airforce and and army. However, i really dont see how setting up military courts to try terrorists who are aiming to blow themselves up – who will the courts try? The dead limbs of these maniacs?!?? While our leaders are busy chairing committees our bold and battle hardened veteran enemy gets stronger. We need to be looking at more effective long term preventative measures ( rather than courts to try criminals once crime is committed ). isolate detain and eliminate all extremists.
What will military courts achieve – i mean really? We need to be lookingst long term prevention methods to isolate detain and eliminate all exteemists. This will of course be a multplie phase programme – but i really doubt setting up military courts to try suicide bombers will help. I mean, theyre all exploding themselves! so whats the point in setting up army courts??!?!!?! Whose gona be on trial – theyre dead limbs?!?
Im a big fan of our khakis – half my family is in the armed forces. I just dont see how setting up military courts to try criminals is the answer our country needs. We need to be preventing the criminals. Not waiting for the crime – then trying them! Its farcical!
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