Rejecting criticism over his move to set up military courts in Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said it was the need of the hour and hoped that terrorism would be eliminated from the country.
"The government will refer cases of hardcore terrorists, who are responsible for mass murders of innocent civilians, kids and young soldiers, to special military courts," he said while presiding over a high-level meeting here.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Director General ISI Gen Rizwan Akhter and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Major Gen Amir Riaz and Federal Law Secretary Barrister Zafarullah also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Nawaz reviewed progress on implementation of the National Action Plan to curb terrorism.
He expressed hope that terrorism would be eliminated from Pakistan through the collective resolve of the government and citizens.
Former president and co-chairman of Pakistan People's Party Asif Ali Zardari has expressed strong reservation on setting up military courts.
Former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has also termed the proposed plan "unconstitutional".
The Supreme Court had declared in 1999 the setting up of military courts as unconstitutional and illegal.
Sharif had announced setting up of military courts after Taliban militants killed 150 people mostly children during an attack on an army-run school in Peshawar on December 16.
