Indo-Asian News Service
Islamabad, Jan 6: The Pakistan parliament Tuesday adopted a constitutional amendment that toughens anti-terror laws, including establishment of military-led special courts for the hearing of terrorism-related cases.
The military courts would put on trial members of “any terrorists groups or organisations using the name of religion or sect and (which) raises arms or wages war against Pakistan or attacks armed forces of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies, or attacks any civilian or military organization in Pakistan”, Xinhua reported.
The National Assembly or lower house of parliament required a two-thirds majority for the approval of the amendment. A total of 247 members in the house of 342 voted in favour of the amendment and none present in the house opposed the measure.
Members of two major Islamic parties – Jamiat ulema-e-Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami – abstained from the voting on the 21st Constitutional Amendment. Lawmakers belonging to a main opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf also did not attend the session because of its anti-government protest.
The house rejected amendments proposed by Jamaat-e-Islami in the legislation, which wanted removal of the words “religion and sect” from the draft. Jamiat ulema-e-Islami, which is also an ally of the ruling coalition, complained that it was not taken into confidence before the legislation.
The government opted for the constitutional amendments after the Taliban massacred over 140 students and teachers in a brutal attack on an army-run school in Peshawar city Dec 16.
The new laws say those who kidnap any person for ransom, store or carry explosives, firearms, instruments, articles, suicide jackets or vehicles designed to be used for terrorist acts, will also face military trial.