In recent days, there is a debate regarding military courts and the consequences of trying out civilians and the legality around that. For any part justice system to be effective it has to dispense justice in time.
- It was in 2015 when the military courts were given the green light to try civilians. The ironic thing is that it was during a “civilian” government that the rule was passed. The move was described by PPP’s Senator Raza Rabbani as the “last breath taken by the Parliament.” The expansion of military jurisdiction was done through the 21st Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution. The following person can be tried in military courts:
- Attacking military officers or installations
- Kidnapping for ransom
- Possessing, storing or transporting explosives, firearms, suicide
- jackets or other articles
- Using or designing vehicles for terrorist attacks
- Causing death or injury
- Possessing firearms designed for terrorist acts
- Acting in any way to “over-awe the state” or the general public
- Creating Terror or Insecurity in Pakistan
- Attempting to commit any of the above-listed acts within or outside of Pakistan
- Providing or receiving funding for any of the above-listed acts; and
- Waging war against the state.
The bill made it clear that through that people can only be prosecuted with the permission of the federal government.
Trying out civilians in military courts is an issue that can be talked about a lot and it is an issue that will be talked about a lot in the coming days
