LANDI KOTAL: The tribal elders and political activists have welcomed the decision to establish military courts for trying militants involved in terrorist activities and other heinous crimes across the country, and demanded that the jurisdiction of the superior courts should also be extended to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Reacting to the unanimous decisions by the leaders of all political parties about devising a national security policy, the elders and political activists lamented that in the absence of fair trial and speedy justice, tribesmen had long been victims of unjust verdicts of the political administration.

They, however, expressed satisfaction over the establishment of the military courts and hoped that speedy disposal of terrorism-related cases would help curb militancy in the country, particularly in Fata.

Barkat Afridi, a social activist from Jamrud, said that keeping in view the prevailing security situation in the country, the political leadership had made an excellent decision.

Talking to Dawn, he said that the committee`s recommendations in consultation with the elected government would yield productive results.

Malik Najeeb Hussain also hailed establishment of military courts and demanded of the federal government to immediately implement the decision. He said that the existing legal system left enough space for the convicts to escape exemplary punishment and only military courts would be in a position to conduct fair trial and punish the actual culprits.

Another tribal elder, Malik Israr Hussain, said that he was in favour of military courts as the civil courts had failed to handle terrorism-related cases. `Military courts will have all the time and security to try terrorists as it will be their only responsibility,` he said. A political activist, Miftahuddin, however, demanded of the federal government to extend the jurisdiction of the superior courts to the tribal areas and stop the political administration from exercising the powers of judiciary and executive at the same time.

KHAR: The lawmal(ers and religious and political leaders of Bajaur Agency have welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to set up special military courts to try hardened terrorists in the country, adding that it is a bold and timely decision to discourage terrorism.

Talking to journalists here on Thursday, the tribal elders and political and peace activists lauded the country`s political leadership for developing consensus to set up military courts.

MNA Shahabuddin Khan, MNA Bismallah Khan, Senator Hidayatullah Khan, JUI-F leader Maulana Mohammad Sadiq, All Bajaur Political Alliance president Said Badshah, JI leader Maulana Abdul Majeed, former senator Maulana Abdur Rasheed, PML-N local president Rahat Yousaf, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan coordinator Habibul Hasan Yad, Women Rising of Pakistan chairperson Ms Raina Gul, Malik Ayaz Khan, chief of Mamond Qaumi Lashkar Malik Abdul Aziz, PTI`s Asadullah Khan and Sparc coordinator Hanifullah Jan termed the decision to set up special military courts by the prime minister a bold and timely step for elimination of terrorism in the country.