TEXT AND PHOTO BY M. M. ALAM

RAWALPINDI: Noose have been tightened around the necks of twelve men who according to the Media Wing of the Army ISPR were involved in “macabre crimes like slaughtering soldiers, killing civilians, attacking Law Enforcing Agencies, possessing explosives and bombing girls’ school”. Their black warrants have been confirmed by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif here on Thursday.

Previously it was observed that courts of law were not able to convict such criminals involved in terrorism because witnesses did not want to risk their lives by testifying against them. Secondly, it was also insinuated that even civil judges were afraid of consequences.

Moreover, the moratorium during PPP era also discouraged the judges who used to risk their lives by pasing on the capital punishment. But following December 14^th attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School not only the ban was removed but political parties had agreed over the matter of setting up military courts to handle the menace of terrorism. Subsequently, 21^st constitutional amendment was passed and military courts came into existence.

According to information provided  by the ISPR following convicts who were tried by the military courts will be hanged till death after the final affirmation  of COAS: 1) Muhammad Qayyum Bacha (TTP) for involvement in slaughtering of solders; 2) 3) 4) Muhammad Asif, Shahadat Hussain, Yasin (Lashkar-i-Jhangvi) for their involvement in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies resulting into civilian casualties; 5) Muhammad Tayyab (TTP) for involvement in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan resulting into death of soldiers and civilians; 6) Said Akbar (TTP) for involvement in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan resulting into  injuries and death of soldiers; 7) Muhammad Ayaz (TTP) for his involvement in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan which resulted in death of soldier; 8) Barkat Ali (TTP)  for his involvement in  killing of civilian and possessing fire arms and explosives; 9) Aziz-ur-Rehman (TTP)  for his involvement  in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies resulting into  death of a Police Constable; 10) Hussan Dar (TTP) was involved in killing of civilian and attacking Law Enforcement Agencies resulting into death of Police Constables; 11) Ishaq (TTP)  was involved in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies resulting into the death of a Junior Commissioned Officer and injuries to a police constable; 12) Behram Sher (TTP) for his involvement in attack on Armed Forces of Pakistan and destruction of a Girls Primary School resulting into injuries and death of soldiers.