CJP says strongly supports parliamentary system

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that the judiciary was a strong supporter of the parliamentary system that consisted of elected representatives of the people.
He was heading a three-member bench comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed hearing a constitutional matter regarding law and order in Balochistan. He told the counsel for the Balochistan government that in their last 22 proceedings over the issue and in the October 12 order, they had not uttered a single word against the provincial assembly. “It should be loud and clear that we have not said a single word against the provincial assembly,” he added.
The chief justice further said, “We believe in the assembly and parliament and did not say anything about the provincial assembly.” Shahid Hamid, counsel for the provincial government, submitted a progress report and said per the court’s observations in the October 12 order, the competent authorities considered three options, including dissolution of assembly, losing of confidence of the House by the chief minister, role of the governor and powers with federation. These options were thoroughly discussed and the issue was tabled in the assembly session on November 13 which was attended by 45 members and the assembly reposed confidence in the chief minister, he added.
He further said that the provincial government had not sought review of its October 13 order. Attorney General for Pakistan Irfan Qadir told the bench that the review was moved by the deputy attorney general on behalf of the federation.
The chief justice told him that no licence for killing could be given to anyone. “About 432 FC personnel were slaughtered, 1,000 people became victims of targeted killings, while the Hazara community is being targeted, has anyone taken care notice of it?” he asked. The CJ said the entire health service in the province had been shut down against the abduction of Dr Saeed.
Comparing the situation of the federal capital with the provincial capital, he observed that due to strong monitoring of the Interior Ministry and performance of the secretary concerned, they felt secure in Islamabad. Addressing Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, the chief justice said if they recovered all the missing persons, including Dr Saeed and lawyers within a week, they would feel satisfied. Balochistan Advocate General Amanullah Kinrani said it was not possible to recover the people who had gone missing in 2001 and 2006 in such a short period. Shahid Hamid requested the bench to grant them sufficient time for showing substantial progress.
The chief justice observed that there were also allegations against the provincial ministers and warned that they could pass an order in this regard. Upon the bench’s query, the general secretary of Balochistan High Court Bar apprised the bench that 28 journalists had been killed in the province so far. Hamid requested the bench to grant them three to four weeks’ time.
The bench adjourned further proceedings until December 5 by directing the authorities concerned to recover the missing persons, including the abducted doctor. The bench in its order also noted that despite its earlier order, no progress had been made. It said the Balochistan government had not taken any concrete steps to ensure law and order in the province. During the hearing earlier, a CID inspector informed the court that the security situation was improving, as the death toll had come down to 34 from 49 the previous month. The chief justice questioned if this was what was being called the situation improving, stating that the murder of one individual was equal to the murder of all humanity.