Senate delays voting over military courts' extension
The two bills were tabled in the Senate today
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Senate has approved Army Act Amendment Bill 2017 on Wednesday whereas approval of bill regarding extension of military courts’ tenure has been delayed.
28th Constitutional Amendment Bill was not approved today over lack of quorum and was delayed until Tuesday coming week.
The two bills were tabled in the Senate today after approval by the National Assembly yesterday in a session that was attended by the Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
The assembly had approved both the bills, the 28th Constitutional Amendment as well as the Army Act Amendment Bill 2017. Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, leader of the House recommended postponing the discussion over army courts’ extension bill until coming week.
Senators belonging to Pakistan People’s Party, Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement declared the postponement a sad moment for democracy criticising the fact that votes were required to continue speedy trials of terrorists through army courts.
On the other hand, the Senate approved the army amendment bill while Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Baloch National Party-Mengal opposed the proposed amendment in Army Act 1952.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl did not participate in voting over rejection of its recommendations.
