VOA’s Asad Hassan and Ayaz Gul contributed to this story. Prominent opposition parties in Pakistan have demanded a debate in Parliament over the possible reinstatement of military courts and have called for them to be disbanded, deeming them “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” The courts’ two-year term ended Sunday and the government reportedly is considering a two-year extension, arguing they have been effective in prosecuting terror suspects. Farhat Ullah Babar, a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), however, said his party believes there is no longer a need for military courts in Pakistan and their existence is unconstitutional. “We simply say no to military courts. There has been a decline in terrorism in the country and we need to know why do we still want military courts,” Babar told VOA. “They are a violation of our constitution. … PPP wants the Parliament to be taken into consideration and confidence to have a debate about why the government is willing to reinstate the military courts,” he added. Khaqan Abbassi, Pakistan’s former prime minister and a key member of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) party, which was in power before the current government, also spoke against military courts while talking to… Read full this story
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