Instead of forming military courts, give security to civil judges: Fazl-ur-Rehman

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GEO NEWS
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PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman spoke against a draft law which if passed will make military courts permanent.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday he said that it was being implied that judges from civil courts are “cowards”. “Forming military courts is an insult to civil judges,” he said.

“Instead of forming military courts, we should address the issues that judges in civil courts face. Why can’t we give security to civil judges?” he said.

“What is the point of such courts where accused are produced in a state of fear? This is against basic justice,” he said.

The Interior Ministry has decided to combine the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) with the Protection of Pakistan Act (PPA) and the new law in this regard has been drafted.

The decision was made in a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Interior on Wednesday. After approval by the interior minister, the draft law will be put before parliament.

The draft covers the issue of military courts. Military courts are to expire on January 7 and all under-trial cases will be transferred to the anti-terrorism courts. At present, 120 cases are being heard in military courts, which had received 300 cases overall.

Under the new law, military courts will become permanent and terrorism cases will be sent to them.

CPEC is being politicized: Fazl

Speaking about the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Fazl said that the project was being politicized. “Till the time there were serious reservations, we raised our voice and tried to sort out matters. But we cannot be party to non-serious issues,” he said.

He said that the Pakistan People’s Party had changed its political stance. He welcomed PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s return to Pakistan.

He said that no member of the JUI-F was involved in corruption. “Those trying to stir a storm in a teacup should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.