File Photo: The auditorium of Peshawar's Army Public School which was attacked by Taliban gunmen (Associated Press)
Islamabad:
Pakistan's political parties were today divided over the setting up of special military courts for speedy trial of militants, following the Peshawar school massacre by the Taliban.
The opposition to these courts came up during the meeting of political parties in Islamabad.
The meeting was called to formulate a plan to deal with militancy after deadly Peshawar school massacre.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting in which
several parties supported the formation of military courts.
Those opposing the idea were fewer in number but included influential parties like right wing Jamaat-i-Islami, secular Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP).
"We need a few days to consult on these military courts. We want to see the legislation first," ANP's Ghulam Bilour said.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal of Maulana Fazlur Rehman gave only conditional support but its stance was not clear.
MQM called for the imposition of Martial Law in Pakistan rather than setting up of military courts in the country.
"Instead of just setting up military courts it would be better that General Raheel Sharif should handle the affairs of state for two years," MQM chief Altaf Hussain said.
"If an undemocratic path is to be taken, martial law may as well be imposed. Martial law has been imposed in Pakistan many times before and it could be done again," he said.
The major opposition Pakistan People's Party of former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also sought time for consultations. PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said party wants speedy punishment of terrorists.
"We will give you our official stance after reading the relevant document on establishing the military courts," he said.
Those supporting the military court are Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid of former Prime Minister Shujaat Hussain.
PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain Syed said terrorists could be sentenced immediately with the formation of military courts and added even the US took the same step to deal with terrorism.
Others supporting the military courts included Qaumi Watan Party, Balochistan National Party and some smaller groups.
Nawaz Sharif wants military courts for speedy trial as traditional justice system is corrupt and slow and has failed to deliver.
"Terrorism is a cancer-like disease and history will never forgive us if it is not treated now. The responsibility rests on all of us, and we have to take tough decisions against those who want to rip the country apart and those who are killing innocent children," he said.
The opposition to these courts came up during the meeting of political parties in Islamabad.
The meeting was called to formulate a plan to deal with militancy after deadly Peshawar school massacre.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting in which
several parties supported the formation of military courts.
Those opposing the idea were fewer in number but included influential parties like right wing Jamaat-i-Islami, secular Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP).
"We need a few days to consult on these military courts. We want to see the legislation first," ANP's Ghulam Bilour said.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal of Maulana Fazlur Rehman gave only conditional support but its stance was not clear.
MQM called for the imposition of Martial Law in Pakistan rather than setting up of military courts in the country.
"Instead of just setting up military courts it would be better that General Raheel Sharif should handle the affairs of state for two years," MQM chief Altaf Hussain said.
"If an undemocratic path is to be taken, martial law may as well be imposed. Martial law has been imposed in Pakistan many times before and it could be done again," he said.
The major opposition Pakistan People's Party of former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also sought time for consultations. PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said party wants speedy punishment of terrorists.
"We will give you our official stance after reading the relevant document on establishing the military courts," he said.
Those supporting the military court are Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid of former Prime Minister Shujaat Hussain.
PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain Syed said terrorists could be sentenced immediately with the formation of military courts and added even the US took the same step to deal with terrorism.
Others supporting the military courts included Qaumi Watan Party, Balochistan National Party and some smaller groups.
Nawaz Sharif wants military courts for speedy trial as traditional justice system is corrupt and slow and has failed to deliver.
"Terrorism is a cancer-like disease and history will never forgive us if it is not treated now. The responsibility rests on all of us, and we have to take tough decisions against those who want to rip the country apart and those who are killing innocent children," he said.
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