–Former PM says he is yet to talk to Abbasi about his meeting with CJP but the latter ‘should not have said what he did’
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that no prime minister would appreciate the remarks made by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar about his meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The prime minister, if he deems fit, can seek an explanation from the chief justice over his remarks, he added.
On Tuesday, the prime minister held a two-hour-long one-on-one meeting with Chief Justice Nisar at the latter’s chambers in the Supreme Court during which he assured the top judge of the government’s full support for his judicial reforms vision while the CJP promised to uphold the law without “fear or favour”.
Talking to journalists outside the accountability court hearing corruption reference against him, Nawaz referred to Chief Justice Nisar’s comments wherein he said “the PM came to meet me with a plea, and it is my duty to hear everyone’s request. I did not go to PM House or Secretariat. They came to me”.
Nawaz said he hadn’t talked to Abbasi about his meeting with the chief justice yet, however, the chief justice should not have said what he did.
“Every state institution should stay within its constitutional limits,” he stressed.
“Even when Justice Azmat Saeed went on to say that Nawaz needs to know that there is a lot of space in Adiala jail, I remained quiet,” he added.
The three-time premier claimed he never interfered in any other institution’s business.
“I never violated my constitutional mandate,” he claimed, pressing other institutions to do the same.
It is very important to discuss the importance of the constitution and sanctity of the vote, he added.
On Thursday, Nawaz had said that excessive suo motus harm the executive and urged the CJP to refrain from the practice.
Nawaz had said that such notices place the job of the government into the hands of the chief justice.