PM for seeking SC advice on judges’ appointment

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has directed Law Minister Farooq H Naik to prepare a reference for seeking Supreme Court’s advice on judges’ appointment to settle all issues in a transparent manner per the letter and spirit of the constitution. The law minister on Monday discussed with the prime minister the forthcoming reference being filed by the president before the Supreme Court and sought his opinion on the appointment of judges to superior courts. During the meeting, Naik and Ashraf discussed in detail the questions to be posed to the Supreme Court for its opinion, a press release issued by the PM House said. The prime minister said the government had always abided by the constitution and had taken recourse to constitutional remedies whenever an issue had arisen, where one of the organs of the state or a point of law was under question. Appreciating the advice given by the law minister for filing a reference in the Supreme Court, the prime minister said it would not only improve relationship with the judiciary, but also bring clarity to the process of appointing judges. It would also reaffirm the government’s policy that all institutions should work in harmony and in consultation with each other without interfering in each other affairs, he added. The prime minister expressed confidence that the filing of reference would enhance the respect of institutions in the eyes of common man and would strengthen democracy and the institutions. The government intends to file a reference to obtain the advice of the Supreme Court under Article 186, inter alia, with regard to the appointment of the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court as well as the confirmation of the judges of Islamabad High Court.