ISLAMABAD: A bill proposing amendments to the Army Act 1952 and the 28th Constitutional Amendment Bill were presented in the Senate on Wednesday after the National Assembly passed both with the requisite margin of votes a day earlier. The two legislations, presented by Law Minister Zahid Khan, are aimed at granting legal cover to military courts. Following a brief debate, the House approved the Army Act Amendment Bill but postponed approval of the 28th Constitutional Amendment due to a lack of sufficient votes. The bill, which seeks to “enable trial under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for expeditious disposal of cases related to terrorism”, was opposed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Ataur Rehman, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Senator Usman Kakar and Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) Senator Jahanzeb Jamal. Speaking on the floor, MQM Senator Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif insisted that political parties should focus on checking themselves instead of criticising the army. “In the past two years, the government failed to build the judiciary’s capacity and thus the army cannot be blamed,” he maintained. Military courts were disbanded on January 7 after a sunset clause included in the legal provisions under which the tribunals were established, expired. Till recently, the government and the opposition had struggled to reach a consensus on reviving the courts despite frequent discussions. The primary concern of critics was the mystery surrounding military court trials: no one knows who the convicts are, what charges have been brought against them, or what the accused’s defence is against the allegations levelled. Proponents say said the courts had acted as an “effective deterrent” for those considering violent acts. Opposition members urged the government to ensure that this two-year extension of military courts is the last ever term of such special courts. Law Minister Zahid Hamid said it was reviewed in January this year that positive results were achieved in the fight against war on terror through these amendments. He said terrorism was still a threat to the integrity and security of the country and extraordinary situation is persisting. He said it is imperative to extend special measures adopted earlier. He said four additions have been made in the previously passed Pakistan Army Act, 2015.