Pakistani PM defends military courts to try 'hard-core terrorists'

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday rejected criticism at the proposed military- led special courts for the speedy trial of "hard-core terrorists" in terrorism-related cases.

The special courts to be headed by military officers will be part of a comprehensive anti-terrorism plan that will be presented in the parliament likely on Thursday.

The concept of the "National Action Plan" was floated after the Taliban attacked an army-run school in Peshawar and killed 140 children and 10 of their teachers.

The prime minister told the Senate that he is hopeful that parliament will give approval to the anti-terror plan to lay heavy hands on the armed groups and to effectively address the challenge of terrorism.

Referring to reservations expressed by some opposition lawmakers regarding possible misuse of the special courts, the prime minister said, "Pakistan is passing through an extra- ordinary situation demanding extra-ordinary measures."

"Cases of serious crimes are pending with normal courts for twenty to thirty years and there is a need for speedy justice. Priority is being given to devise a system to bring terrorists to justice," he said in defence to the military-led courts.

The Prime Minister said his government has decided that no armed group would be allowed to operate in Pakistan and impose their ideologies on the nation. "Similarly banned organizations would not be allowed to operate under any other name in any circumstances."

Nawaz Sharif has said that the parliament, the entire political and military leadership of the country is firmly standing behind the 20-point national action plan against terrorism and its implementation has begun. "I am personally reviewing the progress on daily basis."

The prime minister said a draft of legal and constitutional amendments has been prepared and expressed the confidence that the parliament would approve them.

All major political parties threw weight behind the government' s anti-terror plan after the Taliban's massacre of school children. The parties have also assured support to the government to carry out anti-terrorism legislation in the parliament.

"Decisions about how to address the menace of terrorism are not being made by an individual but the national leadership and the parliament," Nawaz Sharif told the Lower House of the Parliament.

He said the proposed measures are aimed at securing life of the people and everything is being done within the ambit of the constitution.

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