PM House approves forwarding 29 cases to military courts: Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal remarked on Friday that Prime Minister House has approved forwarding 29 cases to military courts.

“In the last cabinet meeting, 29 cases were cleared to be forwarded to military courts,” he shared while exclusively speaking to Geo News.

He also remarked that PM House has received Chief of Army Staff’s letter pertaining to forwarding cases to military courts and that its reply has already been forwarded.

Eighty more cases will be sent to military courts, he remarked, adding that these 80 cases will be first approved in next cabinet meeting.

“After this, the interior ministry will not have any more cases pending,” he added.

On March 28, the 28th Amendment Bill 2017, which sought the extension of military courts for another two years, was passed in the Senate after two-third majority votes came in its favour.

After President’s signatures, the bill became an act and the duration of the military courts was extended for another two years, starting from January 7, 2017.

Earlier on March 10, the Senate passed the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2017 but postponed voting on the 28th Amendment Bill 2017 to March 28.

The Army Act 2017 further amends the Pakistan Army Act 1952. In January 2015 the Pakistan Army Act 2015, along with the 21st Constitution amendment, was passed to try hardcore terrorists in military courts.

Four additions have been made in the previously passed Pakistan Army Act 2015.