Senators continue protest against Nov 13 resolution of military courts

In the Senate of Pakistan the Senators from various political parties continued to strongly protest in the upper house of the Parliament on Friday.

The senators were against a “controversial” resolution the Senate passed earlier this week that opposed Supreme Court’s landmark verdict on military courts, abruptly adjourning the house till the coming Monday.

The house proceedings plunged into chaos after the senators demanded of the chairman to be given them floor to share views on the said resolution.

This was the second consecutive sitting of the upper house marred by a protest over the resolution, which has since become controversial due to the hasty manner in which it was presented and approved.

The upper house proceedings plunged into chaos after the senators demanded the chairman to be given them floor to share views on the said resolution. However, Senate chairman Sanjrani insisted to continue with the house’s business agenda.

This attracted strong backlash from the legislators from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), National Party (NP) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).

The infamous resolution of Nov 13

A non-binding two page resolution, was tabled by Senator Dilawar Khan at the tail-end of session and supported only by Balochistan Awami Party senators.

The motion, read out by Senator Khan, urged the apex court to reconsider its decision in line with the “national security paradigm and sacrifices of the martyrs”.

The motion termed the SC verdict “an attempt to rewrite the law” and an encroachment of the parliament’s legislative authority.

The resolution, not part of the agenda issued before the session, was tabled when a majority of members were absent.

The Senate chairman not only allowed Mr Khan to present the resolution but even put it for a vote without any debate, only minutes before adjourning the sitting.

It reiterated that the trial of those accused of violence against the armed forces under the Army Act was an “appropriate and proportional response in line with Pakistan’s existing constitutional framework and statutory regime”.

The resolution was presented by Senator Dilawar Khan, the motion carried the signatures of senators Kahuda Babar, Ahmed Khan, Prince Ahmed Omer Ahmedzai, Naseebullah Bazai and Manzoor Kakar.