Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry said the transparency will be ensure under all circumstances and only legal agreements will be accepted.
Heading a three-member SC bench hearing Reko Diq case, the Chief Justice Chaudhry said the court will have to fully examine the irregularities committed in this case including corruption and violations of institutional laws, adding the case falls under the Article-184(3) of the Constitution.
Khalid Anwar, the counsel of Tethyan Copper Company Pakistan (TCCP) argued that a conflict will ensue if Pakistani and foreign courts delivered the ruling to the contrary, adding Tethyan would have never invested if it had not been sure of obtaining license.
“Does there exist any written international agreement that make it binding to give mining license?” asked the Chief Justice. On this, Khalid Anwar said it is an individual and private deal that does not require any international agreement, warning if at least 50 to 60 oil exploration pacts will stand as null and void if the deal was annulled.
The Chief Justice Chaudhry said the court may span every extent to ensure impartial dealing, asserting the word ‘compromise’ should now be expunged from Pakistan’s dictionary, as only transparency will be focused upon.