Pak takes Lakhvi issue to SC as Sharif implements anti-terror plan

Three special courts to deal with terror cases established in Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta

GN Bureau | January 1, 2015



After repeated protests by India, Pakistan on Thursday challenged the bail granted to Mumbai attack accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, even as the Nawaz Sharif government began to walk the talk on its anti-terror plan.

The Interior Ministry of Pakistan moved the Supreme Court against Lakhvi’s bail granted by the anti-terrorism court due to legal loopholes, weak evidence and irrelevant sections. India had protested numerous times – when he was granted bail, and then released following a Pakistani court's suspension of his detention under a public security order. Now, India will have to wait and watch for the verdict of the Pakistan’s highest court.

Meanwhile, Pakistan government established three special courts on Thursday in accordance with the Protection of Pakistan Bill to preside over cases relating to terrorism. Five special courts are to be formed in total. These three courts have come up in Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta.

Prime minister Nawaz Sharif has committed himself to the establishment of military despite opposition. Speaking in the Pakistani Senate on Wednesday, the prime minister said he was determined to go ahead with the option of military courts even though he too had “a lurking suspicion that one day” he may have to face “such a forum”.

Many political parties have expressed reservations on their proposed establishment. However, the ruling political establishment has received the support of the Pakistani army.

On Thursday, the country’s Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif held a meeting of the corps commanders in Rawalpindi to discuss implementation of the anti-terror action plan, establishment of military courts, and progress on the Operation Zarb-i-Azb against militants in the North Waziristan tribal region.

The corps commanders endorsed the plan and pledged to work with the civilians to tackle the terrorism.

It remains to be seen whether all these measures are going to be implemented in letter and spirit because of the inherent contradictions of the Pakistani establishment that feeds on terror and fear.

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