Pakistan to form special courts to tackle terrorism

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced that special courts will be set up to deal with the scourge of terrorism that has claimed over 50,000 lives in the country, a media report said.

In his televised speech Wednesday night, Sharif said political parties had reached a consensus on setting up special courts - for a period of two years - to hear terrorism-related cases.

"Being the prime minister of Pakistan, it is my responsibility to lead the war against terror," Geo News quoted Sharif as saying.

In a strongly worded message, he said the days of terrorists are numbered, and that all funding sources of terrorists will be eliminated.

He said Madrassas (Islaimic seminaries) will not be allowed to operate without proper registration, the report said.

"Banned outfits will not be allowed to operate under new names and steps will be taken to stop their funding," he said.

Sharif said TV channels will not be allowed to give coverage to terrorists, and added that steps are being taken to root them out from social media as well.

He said action will be taken against hate speech and hate literature.