Pakistan announcing to set up Military Courts to expedite terror trials as part of an ambitious anti-terrorism plan following the deadly Taliban school attack that Killed 160 people in Peshawar, comes after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif mooted strong action to root out extremism but lacks conviction keeping the nexus between army and the terrorist organisations in that country. This is no secret how the whole machinery has been used against India to keep terrorism alive in Jammu and Kashmir. The ambitious plan of action included a wide range of measures including constitutional amendments, banning space for terrorists in media both print and visual and destroying their communication network. Too high are the expectations but very weak on the ground. Sharif’s decision also brings in an end to six-year moratorium on the death penalty, reinstating it for terrorism related cases. Will these Special Courts try militancy related cases taken place within the country or outside? In this context what is to be seen is will Pakistan initiate action against the masterminds of perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack especially Zakhir Rehman Lakhvi and his men who are under patronage? Similarly, what about persons like Hafiz Saeed who have been spewing venom against India and its establishments? Despite the public solidarity, there’s little expectation that Pakistan will end its strategic relationship with terror. While the Peshawar incident is the worst attack the litmus test for Pakistan Army will be if it’s a call to revisit policies, only then there may be a chance of a paradigm shift.
