Defence Minister Khawaja Asif tables resolution demanding strict action while ensuring respect for human rights
ISLAMABAD
National Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking trial of suspects involved in May 9 incidents under the army laws. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif tabled the resolution.
The resolution said their attacks caused irreparable damage to state institutions and the country so the proceedings against them should be completed according to the constitution and law. The resolution also urged that the action against the accused should not be delayed even for one day.
The resolution said human rights were not violated during the action against miscreants and criminals. The resolution said the armed forces are authorized to take action against the culprits involved in the attack on military installations across the world so the action under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 should be made against all persons. The Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) opposed the resolution and sent the PTI leaders’ cases to the military courts under the Army Act. Addressing the NA session, the Defence Minister said military installations were attacked under a well-crafted plan, adding that nothing but installations and martyrs’ graveyards were brought under attacks.
He went on to say that no Pakistani could tolerate desecration of martyrs’ graveyards, adding that attempts were made to burn 85 airplanes parked at the Miawali airbase. “We have the evidence on May 9 events,” he added. Former PMs Nawaz Sharif and Yusuf Raza Gillani did not have the “way” to appeal, but those accused of May 9 events had the right to appeal, he said.
Mr Asif continued by saying that the American authorities jailed the attackers of White House and Capitol Hill for 18 years, adding that they did not take such actions on human rights violations in Gaza. “Attacks on military installations are trialed in military courts all over the world,” he added. “We have not made any new law, it was already present,” he said.
The minister said terrorism laws would be invoked to try terrorism cases, adding that attackers of planes and Qila Bilhasar would be tried under the Army Act. “It is the right of defence forces to invoke the law to try attackers of military installations,” he added. He said the country’s system had been “compromised to a greater extent”, adding that it was before anyone how parliament’s authority was misused. — DNA
