ISLAMABAD, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's parliament has approved to revive the military courts for the trial of terrorism-related cases, local media reported on Wednesday.
The two-year term of the military courts expired in January and both the treasury and opposition benches late Tuesday joined hands to pass an amendment in the constitution for a two-year extension.
A total of 255 lawmakers in 342-member National Assembly or lower house of the parliament voted in favour of the bill while only four opposed the bill.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also attended the parliament session during the voting and earlier debate on the important legislation.
The military courts were established for the speedy trial of the terrorists after the deadliest attack on an army public school in Peshawar in December 2014. Nearly 150 people, mostly students, were killed in the Taliban claimed attack.
The army said the military courts have so far awarded death sentence to a total of 161 terrorists and 21 of them have been executed.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate, upper house of the parliament for approval.
Earlier taking part in the discussion, Nafisa Shah of the major opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said military courts are working in a number of the democratic countries in the world. She said the PPP supported the bill because extraordinary measures are needed to address the menace of terrorism.
Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of the opposition ANP supported the bill and said that elimination of terrorist mindset is imperative for eradication of terrorism from the country.
Speaking on the bill, Law Minister Zahid Hamid said the military courts are being revived in view of the extraordinary situation and circumstances constituting grave threat to the security and integrity of Pakistan from various terrorist groups.
Winding up the discussion, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that after the expiry of the tenure of the military courts on Jan. 7, the government in consensus with all the parliamentary political parties decided to revive it.
