Pakistan’s Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Friday dismissed concerns that the special courts would strengthen the role of the powerful army, saying it was the need of “extraordinary times” and not the military’s desire.
Gen Sharif made the remarks while addressing a meeting of political leaders at the PM House, convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to allay fears that the special courts headed by military officers might be used against politicians. The political leaders and judges fear that the special courts would strengthen the role of the already powerful army in Pakistan where the military has ruled for decades.
Army spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted that Gen Sharif said army was not pushing for the special courts.”Special courts not desire of the Army but need of extraordinary times. (We) will return to original system when normalcy returns,” he tweeted.