Parliamentary leaders on same page over extension of military courts: NA Speaker

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary leaders on Thursday held a session to discuss the ongoing issue of the extension of the military courts.

According to sources, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq all parliamentary leaders had consensus over the extension of the military courts.

He said he will contact Asif Ali Zardari to end his party’s boycott of the Parliamentary committee.

The committee in its session recommended the NA Speaker to contact Zardari. Sadiq will contact Zardari over the matter today.

The session was attended by all the main parliamentary parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, whereas, Pakistan People’s Party boycotted the meeting. The parliamentary leaders expressed concern of the PPP’s boycott.

The NA speaker said the PPP wants that the National Security Committee should be formed soon.

Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar was also of the same opinion, stating that an NSC should be constituted over the issue of military courts.

The MQM-Pakistan leader said that this time around his party won’t lend unconditional support.

Sattar said that the committee should be headed by National Assembly leaders.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Zardari has made contact with him, adding that the PPP wants to call an All Parties Conference over the issue of military courts.

Earlier this week, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had contacted several political leaders regarding extension in the term of military courts in the country.

In January, Asif Ali Zardari had directed PPP leaders to oppose the extension of military courts.