NA committee reviews amendment in Army Act 1952

National Assemblys Standing Committee on Defence has requested for written recommendations from Aitzaz Ahsan regarding amendment in Army Act for trial of a civilian in military court, reported Dunya News on Wednesday.The NA standing committees meeting was held in Islamabad with Azra Fazal Pechuho. The meeting reviewed the amendment made in Army Act 1952 during former President Pervez Musharrafs regime under which any citizen can be prosecuted in military court on terrorism charges. The committee members agreed that the amendment in its present form is not acceptable. The law ministry opined that the amendment act violates citizens rights. Aitzaz Ahsan who was attending the meeting on invitation of the committee gave legal advice that high court should give approval of a judicial panel to prosecute a civilian in military court whereas the verdict should explain the sentence is based on what evidences. Aitzaz Ahsan further advised that the culprit should be given right of appeal in high court against the verdict of the military court.