SC's decision on military courts 'has strengthened Pak's war against terrorism': Nawaz Sharif

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the establishment of the military courts has strengthened the Pakistan's war against terrorism.

According to the Dawn, Sharif, while addressing the National Assembly session, said that the 'extraordinary steps' taken by the court are commendable, adding that the Parliament's decision has been validated by the court.

Sharif further said that all the political parties had reservations about the establishment of military courts.

He added that the step taken would 'reap positive effects'.

The Supreme Court had earlier in the day passed a landmark judgement in which it upheld the establishment of military courts with a majority in Pakistan.

The apex court dismissed the petitions challenging the 21st amendment in an 11-6 vote of the 17-member Supreme Court bench.

In a 14-3 majority vote, petitions challenging the 18th amendment were also dismissed by the bench.

The Parliament passed the 21st Amendment and the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, to establish the special courts after the massacre in the Army Public School in Peshawar last year.

The stay order was issued on an application filed by rights activist Asma Jehangir on behalf of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) after army chief General Raheel Sharif had ratified the death sentence to six militants and life imprisonment to one by the military courts.