Frequent statements of the PTI leaders and a move of the noted lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan over the IHC Judges’ letter are matter of surprise for many.
What all this really meant for when the Supreme Court has already taken suo-moto over the controversial letter?
It seems the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is exerting full pressure on the apex court in the name of independence of judiciary.
Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, with the support of Lahore High Court Bar Association, filed a petition in the SC demanding a judicial commission to probe the letter and order revocation of the government’s inquiry commission.
The PTI’s general secretary Omar Ayub Khan now also Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly in his statement has said “Although the SC has taken suo- moto over judges’ letter but that is not enough as the issue must be brought to a logical end.” Isn’t it surprising that he is suggesting to a high-power bench of the apex court to bring the matter to logical end?
An extra step has been taken by this party’s chairman Barrister Gohar Ali khan stating that the SC should not burry this issue under the red carpet. He along with other leaders of his party has also suggested the apex court to make a full court bench rather than just a seven-member bench to hear the mater in question. It seems as if Mr. Gohar is suggesting the honorable court to put other business of the court aside and just do work over the judges’ letter. Does it not mean by demanding a full court bench? And does it not really speak that this political party have no confidence over the judges of this seven-member bench?
Surprisingly the PTI is claiming independence of judiciary in the wake of this letter and the other hand today the Election Commission of Pakistan had postponed the Senate election in KP where PTI is having government led by Chief Minister Ali Ameen Gandapur. The KP’s CM has refused to obey order of the Peshawar High Court regarding oath taking of the notified members on reserved seats. Putting aside the High Court’s directions and of the ECP, he said that all it was unconstitutional to direct them administer oath of those members.
On the other hand, Mr. Aitzaz in his petition has pleaded for strict action against those involved in exerting pressure over the judiciary besides ordering the government to pass relevant legislation to prevent such incidents. At one hand he has pleaded to rove the inquiry commission which the federal government earlier with the consent of the CJP formed to inquire about judges’ letter and on the other hand he has pleaded the court direct the federal government to make laws in that regard. What connection this noted lawyer has with the PTI is also not concealed from anyone. It is important to note that earlier the honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan regarding the matter in question has met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan at SC’s office and appreciated the PM’s suggestion for forming an inquiry commission stating that no comprise will be made on the independence of judiciary. Afterwards the government formed an inquiry commission and appointed Mr. Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as its head. What happened in this regard is known to everyone. Then the CJP called two full court consecutive sessions over the said matter and finally also took suo-moto over the matter in question and formed a seven-member bench.
Earlier PTI with the support of some lawyers was demanding resignation of the CJP and Chief of the IHC and of the Prime Minister stating that in their presence no independent inquiry be initiated. Then they demanded that the SC should take suo-moto over this incident. Now when the learned court itself has taken suo-moto following the gravity of the issue, PTI has started demanding more that the court should revoke the commission of the government besides demanding a logical end. What really the PTI and its likeminded lawyers want by such practices is the question of common public.
