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| Pakistani lawmakers vote for new military courts to try terror suspects | Pakistani lawmakers vote for new military courts to try terror suspects |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Lawmakers here voted Tuesday to try terrorism suspects in new military courts, approving a key component of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s plan to crush the Pakistani Taliban and other Islamist militant groups. | ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Lawmakers here voted Tuesday to try terrorism suspects in new military courts, approving a key component of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s plan to crush the Pakistani Taliban and other Islamist militant groups. |
| Sharif proposed the courts two weeks ago after seven Pakistani Taliban militants slaughtered about 150 students and teachers in an army-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar. With much of the country horrified by the Dec. 16 attack, Sharif appeared to have broad backing for his proposal. | Sharif proposed the courts two weeks ago after seven Pakistani Taliban militants slaughtered about 150 students and teachers in an army-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar. With much of the country horrified by the Dec. 16 attack, Sharif appeared to have broad backing for his proposal. |
| But a coalition of progressives and Islamic leaders was fighting the plan, saying it hands too much power to the military. | But a coalition of progressives and Islamic leaders was fighting the plan, saying it hands too much power to the military. |
| Pakistan has been governed by the military for nearly half of its 67-year history, but in 2013 it completed its first transition from one democratically elected government to another. In recent days, some activists had warned that the creation of the military courts would signal that Pakistan is again inching away from democracy. | Pakistan has been governed by the military for nearly half of its 67-year history, but in 2013 it completed its first transition from one democratically elected government to another. In recent days, some activists had warned that the creation of the military courts would signal that Pakistan is again inching away from democracy. |
| Yet in successive votes here in the capital on Tuesday evening, the National Assembly and the Senate overwhelmingly backed amending the constitution to allow for the creation of the courts. The legislation will go into effect as soon as the president, who supports the measure, signs it. | Yet in successive votes here in the capital on Tuesday evening, the National Assembly and the Senate overwhelmingly backed amending the constitution to allow for the creation of the courts. The legislation will go into effect as soon as the president, who supports the measure, signs it. |
| Sharif applauded the votes, saying they prove that Pakistanis want swift justice for major acts of terrorism. “The killers of innocent children, women and our security forces personnel will be tried in these courts,” he said. “Today is a good day for this nation. Today, we resolved to root out the menace of terrorism.” | Sharif applauded the votes, saying they prove that Pakistanis want swift justice for major acts of terrorism. “The killers of innocent children, women and our security forces personnel will be tried in these courts,” he said. “Today is a good day for this nation. Today, we resolved to root out the menace of terrorism.” |
| Most terrorism cases are tried in civilian courts, except for attacks that directly target military installations or personnel. Pakistan’s clogged court system has come under repeated criticism from U.S. and other Western officials, who say too many terror suspects have been freed on technicalities or appeal. | |
| The Pakistani prime minister stressed that the government — not the military — would decide which suspects are eligible for trial in a military court. Sharif, who was overthrown in a military coup in 1999 during a prior term as prime minister, has also promised that the tribunals will not be used to try political opponents, activists or journalists. | The Pakistani prime minister stressed that the government — not the military — would decide which suspects are eligible for trial in a military court. Sharif, who was overthrown in a military coup in 1999 during a prior term as prime minister, has also promised that the tribunals will not be used to try political opponents, activists or journalists. |
| But Pakistan’s two major religious parties, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, abstained from the votes. Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, said he fears that the new courts will unfairly target religious scholars and leaders. | But Pakistan’s two major religious parties, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, abstained from the votes. Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, said he fears that the new courts will unfairly target religious scholars and leaders. |
| “This is an attempt to make Pakistan a secular country,” Rehman told reporters Tuesday. “Pakistan is an Islamic country, and no one will be allowed to turn it into a secular state. . . . The nation is united against terrorism and militancy, but unfortunately some elements present in society are trying to associate terrorism with religion.” | “This is an attempt to make Pakistan a secular country,” Rehman told reporters Tuesday. “Pakistan is an Islamic country, and no one will be allowed to turn it into a secular state. . . . The nation is united against terrorism and militancy, but unfortunately some elements present in society are trying to associate terrorism with religion.” |
| Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, a leading progressive voice in the country, also protested the creation of the courts. | Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, a leading progressive voice in the country, also protested the creation of the courts. |