Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said the government resorted to the establishment of military courts only as a last resort to respond to a formidable challenge posed by extraordinary circumstances through which the country is currently passing. In a statement issued here, the Prime Minister said the country is in a state of war and military courts have been approved for a limited time only to root out terrorism and extremism from the country.

He said the PML (N) has played a proactive role in the restoration of judiciary and respects the independence of the judiciary, adding, amendment in the Constitution should not be construed otherwise.

Prime Minister Sharif, who arrived here Thursday on a two-day private visit, said the PML (N) government respects and implements all judicial decisions in letter and spirit.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2015