Pak military courts from next week, Oppn livid

The strength of the courts will be increased depending on the load of cases to be referred to these courts, the officials said .

The courts will be established by the Corps Commander, Karachi .Prime minister Nawaz Sharif had said yesterday that the government had a list of 490 criminals involved in various heinous crimes and they would face charges in the military courts. “The Government will not show any leniency against them,” he had said.

Besides, the government has also decided to cancel the release of culprits on parole. Among them are various senators,MNAs and MPs belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

While, various leaders, including leader of the opposition and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, have criticised the establishment of military courts, former services chiefs have welcomed the action .In a statement, Benazir Bhutto said: “By issuing the new ordinance, the civil authority and constitution have been undermined by the present rulers.”

She demanded fresh elections in the country saying that “The handing over of parts of Sindh to military courts and the consequent suspension of the writ of the superior judiciary marks the complete erosion of civil authority and constitutional rule in the federation.”

“Invocation of Article 245D of the constitution is proof that events are out of control of the present regime, as such the government must quit and pave way for fresh elections under an interim government of national consensus,”Bhutto said.

Jamaat Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad said the establishment of the military courtsproved the failure of present regime “who is bent upon committing one blunder after another”.

“Establishment of military courts confirm that judiciary, civil bureaucracy and constitution have been undermined by the present government which has left the people of Karachi with no option but to live in an atmosphere of uncertainty.”

Reacting to the government’s action, MQM chief Altaf Hussain said the establishment of military courts was an undemocratic move and tantamount to establishing dictatorship. In a statement issued in London, Hussain said “the Prime Minister wants to fulfill his ulterior ambitions by pitching the army against a particular segment of people. This move might prove to be However, three former services chiefs-Air Marshal (Retd) Anwar Shamim, Admiral Iftekhar S Aroohi and Lt Gen Faiz Ali Chistie-today applauded the government action and hoped that it would eliminate terrorism.