Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan said that judicial activism in recent years has infringed upon the rights of Parliament, equating it to a fraud against the Constitution.
Malik Ahmed Khan addressed the ongoing discussions regarding the assembly’s letter and the Supreme Court’s decision, as well as a letter from two assemblies to the Election Commission. He was addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday.
He stated that the amendment passed in the National Assembly is also a topic of discussion. He emphasized that since the act was not passed, the Supreme Court’s order granted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the right to make decisions based on existing election laws that political parties use to regulate their activities with the Election Commission.
Malik Ahmed Khan remarked that the Peshawar High Court’s decision went to the Supreme Court, followed by the Election Commission’s ruling. Without taking a stance on any party, he highlighted the ongoing foreign funding case in the Election Commission, questioning the purpose of Babar Awan’s case being stalled in court for three years.
He criticized judicial activism for depriving Parliament of its rights, saying it constitutes a fraud against the Constitution. He raised concerns about who would handle the appointments and dismissals of judges, saying that the courts have taken this matter into their own hands.
“If any decision goes to the Supreme Judicial Council, he noted, it will lack performance and executive involvement,” said the speaker.
Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan appealed to both government and opposition members, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, to uphold their oath to protect the Constitution and rectify its fundamental aspects. He asserted that if anyone tries to seize Parliament’s rights, they should be held accountable for their actions, emphasizing the need to enforce the rights granted to Parliament by the Constitution.
The Speaker reiterated that whether it is Parliament, the Election Commission, or the Supreme Court, all actions must align with the Constitution. He mentioned that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in her first speech, outlined a roadmap for the role of Parliament and women’s rights. He pointed out that during Parvez Elahi’s tenure, they had disputes over the implementation of laws, neglecting Parliament’s role.
He expressed frustration over elected officials who failed to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities and become embroiled in compromises, saying that if parliamentary members do not take action, agencies like NAB would undermine their capabilities. He noted that the NAB Act limited the financial expenditures, and he sometimes feels like banging his head against the wall over the need to strengthen the Constitution and laws, warning that without such measures, they might lose the ability to write even a single word into law.
He added that the executive should not engage with any powerful institutions, thanking the Chief Minister for her collaborative efforts post 18th Amendment, which could prevent legal crises that hinder public service.
He emphasized the formation of women’s and minority caucuses to amplify their voices, saying their intent to enhance public engagement and re-establish communication that had been disrupted due to security concerns.
