The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA) on Tuesday expressed grave concerns over the passage of the Contempt of Court bill by the National Assembly, saying an attack had been launched on the judiciary to protect a few corrupt beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). A statement issued after a meeting of the PESA Executive Council said that amendments regarding dual nationality holders would place the national security at great risk, adding that the restoration of NATO supplies reflected a total mismanagement of the whole affair by the Government of Pakistan. The meeting observed that the amendments to the Contempt of Court law were a conspiracy to destroy the independence of judiciary. The meeting added that the amendment goes against the fundamental principle of equality before law as Article 248 does not provide immunity for wilful defiance of courts’ orders and judgments. “The government must not start the media trial of the independent judiciary – the last ray of hope which has repeatedly proved itself above-board. Disobeying the judiciary is not legal in any country of the world, while using the parliament to shield the corrupt is the height of undemocratic attitude,” the statement said. It added that the oath of dual nationality holders for loyalty to Pakistan would have no legal value, as one person cannot be loyal to two countries. PESA members called upon the legal fraternity, civil society and general public to resist aggression against the judiciary, oppose the black law, and protect the constitution unanimously passed in 1973.
