Anyone for traveling to Pakistan? Disappear without a trace.
5 August 2015
By Reuters
Pakistan’s supreme court (click here) has ruled that secret military courts are legal and can pass death sentences on civilians, a judgement that critics say further strengthens the military’s grip on power at the expense of civilian authorities.
Military courts were empowered to try suspected militants after Taliban gunmen massacred 134 children at an army-run school in December. The government argued that civilians were too scared to convict militants.
Any excuse is a good excuse to make Pakistan a idealized dictatorship. Amazing. It is safe to say democracy in Pakistan is on the back burner.
Several lawyers challenged the constitutionality of the military courts in the supreme court. But on Wednesday, Nasir ul Mulk, Pakistan’s chief justice, announced that all “petitions have been dismissed”.
A detailed judgement will be released later, he said.
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 190 million, is plagued by a Taliban insurgency, sectarian violence and militancy....
I congratulate Saroop Ijaz for speaking out. Sometimes speaking out is a sure way to remain alive. If disappeared the reason would be too obvious and cause concern by the people. Seriously, being an activist can save your life in Pakistan.
...Military courts have been empowered to try militant suspects until February 2017. The government has promised to use that time to reform the broken civilian justice system.
Critics say the government has handed the military too much power and that there are few signs of reform.
“Ceding space to the military isn’t the answer,’’ said Saroop Ijaz, a lawyer who represents the international rights body Human Rights Watch. “Parliament can’t pass the buck for creating a functioning criminal justice system....
Go get 'em. Absolutely.
...“We cannot know what is happening inside those courts, we have no access to them,” said Amina Janjua, an activist for the families of the missing whose own husband was detained 10 years ago. “Who will know whether the judges’ decision is right and what proof there was?"
Anyone hear from Musharraf lately? He was arrested for treason.
There is every reason to believe there will be no backpedaling on the peace process this time. Afghanistan should consider closing it's border with Pakistan if that is possible. There are people that will leave Pakistan.
August 5, 2015
By Agence France-Presse
Islamabad: Pakistan's Army Chief General Raheel Sharif (click here) has said that ongoing efforts at talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban are the "only credible way" to bring peace to the region.
Negotiators for the two sides met in the Pakistani hill town of Murree last month for their first face-to-face meeting aimed at ending the Taliban insurgency, now in its 14th year.
A second meeting planned for last Friday was cancelled after the death of Taliban chief Mullah Omar was announced, throwing the movement's leadership into upheaval.
Backing from the Pakistan and in particular its military, the Taliban's historic sponsors, has been seen as crucial in getting the militants to the negotiating table....
...On Tuesday the head of the Taliban's political office, opened in Qatar in 2013 in a bid to foster talks, resigned in protest at Mansour's appointment.
The Afghan presidency said Omar's death meant the grounds for the discussions were more solid now than before, but many of the insurgents' ground commanders have openly questioned the legitimacy of the Taliban negotiators.
Moreover, before confirming Omar's death, the Taliban distanced themselves from peace talks, saying they were not aware of any such process.
5 August 2015
By Reuters
Pakistan’s supreme court (click here) has ruled that secret military courts are legal and can pass death sentences on civilians, a judgement that critics say further strengthens the military’s grip on power at the expense of civilian authorities.
Military courts were empowered to try suspected militants after Taliban gunmen massacred 134 children at an army-run school in December. The government argued that civilians were too scared to convict militants.
Any excuse is a good excuse to make Pakistan a idealized dictatorship. Amazing. It is safe to say democracy in Pakistan is on the back burner.
Several lawyers challenged the constitutionality of the military courts in the supreme court. But on Wednesday, Nasir ul Mulk, Pakistan’s chief justice, announced that all “petitions have been dismissed”.
A detailed judgement will be released later, he said.
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation of 190 million, is plagued by a Taliban insurgency, sectarian violence and militancy....
I congratulate Saroop Ijaz for speaking out. Sometimes speaking out is a sure way to remain alive. If disappeared the reason would be too obvious and cause concern by the people. Seriously, being an activist can save your life in Pakistan.
...Military courts have been empowered to try militant suspects until February 2017. The government has promised to use that time to reform the broken civilian justice system.
Critics say the government has handed the military too much power and that there are few signs of reform.
“Ceding space to the military isn’t the answer,’’ said Saroop Ijaz, a lawyer who represents the international rights body Human Rights Watch. “Parliament can’t pass the buck for creating a functioning criminal justice system....
Go get 'em. Absolutely.
...“We cannot know what is happening inside those courts, we have no access to them,” said Amina Janjua, an activist for the families of the missing whose own husband was detained 10 years ago. “Who will know whether the judges’ decision is right and what proof there was?"
Anyone hear from Musharraf lately? He was arrested for treason.
There is every reason to believe there will be no backpedaling on the peace process this time. Afghanistan should consider closing it's border with Pakistan if that is possible. There are people that will leave Pakistan.
August 5, 2015
By Agence France-Presse
Islamabad: Pakistan's Army Chief General Raheel Sharif (click here) has said that ongoing efforts at talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban are the "only credible way" to bring peace to the region.
Negotiators for the two sides met in the Pakistani hill town of Murree last month for their first face-to-face meeting aimed at ending the Taliban insurgency, now in its 14th year.
A second meeting planned for last Friday was cancelled after the death of Taliban chief Mullah Omar was announced, throwing the movement's leadership into upheaval.
Backing from the Pakistan and in particular its military, the Taliban's historic sponsors, has been seen as crucial in getting the militants to the negotiating table....
...On Tuesday the head of the Taliban's political office, opened in Qatar in 2013 in a bid to foster talks, resigned in protest at Mansour's appointment.
The Afghan presidency said Omar's death meant the grounds for the discussions were more solid now than before, but many of the insurgents' ground commanders have openly questioned the legitimacy of the Taliban negotiators.
Moreover, before confirming Omar's death, the Taliban distanced themselves from peace talks, saying they were not aware of any such process.
