Now it’s between the parliament and the judiciary. With the Supreme Court leaving no space for the government to further dilly-dally on the implementation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance verdict and holding the prime minister responsible for obstructing action on its decisions, President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday rushed to Islamabad for a meeting with his party’s coalition partners to seek their support and it was decided that the matter would now be taken to parliament to respond to the judiciary.
Faced with a tough situation in a standoff between the government and the judiciary, the heads of ruling coalition on Tuesday decided to throw the ball in parliament’s court after failing to reach a consensus on a joint future plan of action on implementation of the Supreme Court’s NRO verdict. “Now the government will not respond to the judiciary as now the parliament will decide what to do,” a source told Pakistan Today after the meetings of the parliamentary heads with the president and the core committee of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
He said it was also decided that no statement would be issued by the government but the response by the parliament would, however, be strong. The source said the prime minister would make a speech in the National Assembly giving details of what the government had implemented with regard to the SC’s decision on the NRO, besides highlighting how the court had ridiculed government officials and functionaries by selectively taking up the cases against the executive. The source said a resolution might also be passed by the House in favour of the prime minister, reposing confidence in him to send a strong message that the parliament stood by him.
He quoted the president as saying that the judiciary had become a party and this was the reason that he was opposed to the restoration of the judges. Though a private TV channel said the president had asked his coalition partners that he was ready to resign if they desired or advised so, it was not confirmed by the Presidency. An official handout issued from the Presidency stated that leaders of the allied parties decided to convene National Assembly’s session on January 12 (tomorrow).
Before the meeting of the heads of the coalition partners, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani also held a one-on-one meeting to discuss the situation and finalise their strategy.
The coalition partners meeting was attended by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Asfandyar Wali Khan, Senator Afrasiab Khattak, Senator Mir Israrullah Zehri, Dr Farooq Sattar, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, Munir Khan Orakzai, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Senator Dr Babar Awan, Raja Pervez Ashraf and spokesperson to the president Farhatullah Babar. A source said during the meeting, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan advised the president and prime minister to review their stance of defying court orders and suggested that the matter be handled with care.
The source said that both the senior politicians were of the view that opening too many fronts at a time was not wise and rather the executive should observe restraint vis-à-vis its relations with major state institutions – the armed forces and the judiciary.
President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the meeting discussed current political situation with particular reference to the most recent developments. The heads of coalition partners proposed that the session of the National Assembly be urgently called to discuss the latest political issues.
Before the session of the National Assembly, a joint meeting the parliamentary parties will be also held in the Parliament House to work out the strategy to be adopted during the NA session.
Very defining moment,this is transitional period for institutions.we heard a lot about judicial coup this is cooked,what a ideal moment for establishment.pmln,ppp,pti.musharf party,mqb all abusuing each other,ppp should respect court orders but court should also show its neautarality,equal justice for all not thy are targetting coalition govt 33000 other cases are pending including asghar khan and many like other vip are pending for no reason,give confidence to the people that we want rule of justice not rule of judjes,i just want to say only one issue that in 18th amendment this was spirit that no absolute power to any institution hould establish and president first time surrenders his power to parliament,if judjes dislodge this govt than its mean that absolute power will go to judiciary they will become king of jungle no check no balance,so all institutions should act in their domain and let people decide right and wrong in coming election.
Very well said
Please post my above comments on you paper letter to editor,thxInjustice any where is threat to justice every where,law without moral is useless
better huddle behind US with begging bowls…!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardly a convincing argument by Mr. Afandi. The court's action is nothing more than helping establish rule of law and constitution and getting it's decisions implemented which is done without any question in all civilized societies.
All three stake holders can go home like President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, CJ Sajjad Ali Shah, COAS General Kakar and PM Nawaz Sharif did in 1990s.
Perhaps it is right time for a new trioka to start from a clean slate.
Govt should announce immediate elections after Senate elections and completion of voters list.
Similarly according to some the restored Judiciary has lost trust of govt and a section of society including PPP and is blamed to be tilted more towards PML (N).
Similarly the establishment after difference of opinion on Memo Case, OBL killing in Abbotabad has lost mutual trust therefore bosses availing extension should opt for voluntary retirement.
Pakistani nation is sick of infighting between parliament, judiaciary and military who are bent upon to encroach the territories of others.
We used to have a judiciary which gladly validated all extra-constitutional steps. Now, after the success of a historic movement in the name of restoration of independent judiciary, we are blessed with a judiciary which is trying its best to initiate an extra-constitutional step. Surely, we are a nation with a bright future!!!
Need of the hour is for the sovereign Parliament to stand up united against this blatant invasion of Parliament & Executive.
Comments are closed.