ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday remarked that matters which can and should be resolved in parliament should not be brought to court.
Justice Minallah’s comments came as he heard a case regarding the maintainability of a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha against the government’s decision to divert Rs24 billion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) funds for discretionary spending on parliamentarians’ schemes.
The court reserved its verdict on the maintainability of the petition.
During the hearing, the PML-N MNA argued, “Rs24bn from CPEC funds was diverted to parliamentarians.” At this, the IHC chief justice said, “You are a member of the National Assembly, you should approach the parliament.”
“The court wants to uphold the supremacy of the parliament. You could have obtained these details through the parliament as well,” he added.
At this, Ranjha said, “I sought details from the Ministry of Planning as an MNA, however, I did not receive a response even after days.”
Justice Minallah then said, “Parliamentary matters being brought to court is not alright for the court or the parliament. If the court hears such a petition then it will have an effect on the supremacy of the parliament. MNAs have a lot of authority.”
“If MNAs use their authority then that is good for the parliament. Do not bring parliamentary matters in court. This court does not even have the authority that MNAs have,” the IHC chief justice added.
The petitioner then said that the government is involved in the matter. “We want the constitution to be fully implemented and are only asking the ministry for details.”
After hearing Ranjha’s arguments, the court reserved its decision on the maintainability of the petition.
