Summary The bill is now to be tabled in SenateThe Pakistan Army Act 1952 has been amended for the cause
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – National Assembly has approved 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill to reestablish military courts and Army Act Amendment Bill 2017 on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif participated in the proceedings of the NA session today. The 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill approves establishment of military couirts for another two years.
The Pakistan Army Act 1952 has also been approved to be amended.
Pakistan People’s Party had expressed reservations over the extension of army courts tenure however the stalemate with the government ended this month.
National Assembly has rejected recommendations of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Jamaat-e-Islami. JUI-F had recommended to expunge words relating to sectarian terrorism while JI had called for removal of word referring to religious terrorism.
The bill was previously tabled in Senate however, PPP that holds the majority there, rejected the draft.
The amendment bill is now to be tabled in Senate again, after approval by NA. The bill would reach the President seeking approval if it is approved in the Senate.
Military courts were established early 2015 after Taliban attacked Army Public School on December 16, 2014 claiming over 140 lives, mostly young students.
PPP had voiced concerns in 2015 over possibility of ‘misusing’ the amendment and the military courts for political interests however, Prime Minister Nawaz-led government cleared the objections and the parliamentary parties went ahead with the development.
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