Multi Parties Conference (MPC) over the issue of the extension of military courts held by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is underway at the Zardari House Islamabad on Saturday.
The conference is being chaired by PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto.
At the conference Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman take parts, along with chief of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali, and Muslim League Quaid chief Chaudhry Shujaat, Balochistan National Party chief Israrullah Zehri, Jamhoori Watan Party chief Aftab Sherpao, and a delegation from Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Read more: parliamentary parties agree over military courts' extension
Sources said that the MPC will try to achieve consensus over extension of military courts and discuss a draft for the constitutional amendment. The participants will try to obtain an assurance from the Prime Minister that before the time period for military courts expire, the government should take solid steps to ensure reform in the civil judiciary system.
Earlier, parliamentarians developed consensus over extension of military courts for two years. The decision came in a parliamentary session, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, held on Tuesday in which the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) did not take part.
Also read: Military court's extension: 7th meeting of parties indecisively ends
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan has refused to attend the PPP led MPC on military courts even though it has expressed its reservations over their extension. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which had earlier attended the parliamentary session also refused to attend the MPC.
The military courts set up in the aftermath of the Army Public School Attack in 2014, expired after their two-year-period in January this year. All cases being tried in the military courts were handed over to the anti-terrorism courts.
Read more: Military Courts: Government seeks three-year extension in tenure
However a recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan which includes suicide attacks in Lahore and Sehwan, resumed the debate on setting up military courts for speedy trial and conviction of terrorists.
