Proposal for special court appeals

ISLAMABAD: Though government is still keeping the complete proposed constitutional draft secret, parliamentarians and officials privy to the contents believe that the draft also carries some key amendments related to the military.

The sources claim a proposed amendment to the Pakistan Army Act makes the trial and conviction of soldier (serving or former) or a civilian by a military immune to appeal before higher courts.

The sources claimed Senator Kamran Murtaza verbally briefed parliamentarians on the proposal, but all partied initially rejected it.

Secondly, there is an amendment related to the retirement of members of civil and military services and the judiciary. The sources claim that the retirement age of all the government servants working under service of Pakistan rules would be extended by three years, providing an increased tenure to all the members of judiciary, bureaucracy and the armed forces. The government is claiming that the amendments will help save billions of rupees under pension reforms. Exact amount has not yet been shared by any quarter.

It is also being said the reform would ensure speedy justice since it would enable Supreme Court to focus on pending cases by the increase in judges’ strength as well as through bifurcation of the apex judiciary to set up a top court to only address the constitutional matters. The sources claim Maulana Fazlur Rehman is vocal about the judiciary and objects the extension, but he is not speaking about civil and military tenures. It is important to mention that the proposal regarding the extension was not read in the committee.

Khurshid Shah, who headed parliamentary committee late Sunday night, did not disclose the complete draft with the members however parts of it were read by Bilawal, Maulana Fazl and their emissaries.

Sources said both Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Bilawal had two drafts, but Bilawal had the updated one from which he read different points. However, all points related to military were not discussed.

When contacted by this correspondent, Khurshid Shah confirmed the draft was not shared with the committee members as it had yet to be approved by the cabinet.

He said that after approval by the cabinet, the draft would be shared with the committee members.

The committee members were of the view that the amendments draft might take a couple of days for finalisation.