ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Saturday is holding an All Parties Conference (APC) over the issue of the extension of military courts at the Zardari House.
The conference is chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are not part of the conference.
Earlier, MQM and PTI refused to attend the PPP-led APC on military courts even though it has expressed its reservations over their extension.
At the conference, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will also take part, along with Awami National Party Chief Asfandyar Wali. In addition to that, Muslim League-Quaid Chief Chaudhry Shujaat, Balochistan National Party Chief Israrullah Zehri, Jamhoori Watan Party Chief Aftab Sherpao, and a delegation from Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen and Muttahida Qaumi Movement will also be present.
According to details, the APC will try to achieve consensus over extension of military courts and discuss a draft of the constitutional amendment. The participants will also try to get an assurance from the Prime Minister that before the time period for military courts expires, the government should take solid steps to ensure reform in the civil judiciary system.
Earlier, parliamentarians developed consensus over extension of military courts for two years.
The military courts set up in the aftermath of the Army Public School Attack in 2014, expired after their two-year-period in January this year. All cases being tried in the military courts were handed over to the anti-terrorism courts.
However, a recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan which includes suicide attacks in Lahore and Sehwan resumed the debate on setting up military courts for speedy trial and conviction of terrorists.
