ISLAMABAD: During the hearing of a suo motu notice on government interference in the investigation, Chief Justice of Pakistan Omar Ata Bandial has remarked that the authorities have taken advantage of it by amending the ECL rules.
The Supreme Court in Islamabad heard a suo motu notice on the government’s intervention in the investigation and amendment of the ECL rules, in which Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan asked whether the Cabinet had approved the ECL rules. ۔ To which the Attorney General replied that the matter was under consideration in the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The Chief Justice remarked during the hearing that anyone who has to go out of government work should be allowed to do so. Anyone who wants to go abroad has to get permission from the Interior Ministry. The current situation in the country is different. The majority party that formed the government has left the assembly. The country is currently going through an economic crisis, so everyone must work together to make the system work.
The Chief Justice remarked that legislation from the unilateral parliament should also be in accordance with the legal requirements. This is not an opportunity for anyone to take advantage. We will ensure that no institution exceeds its limits. They do not want to give such an order which will cause problems to the government.
During the hearing, Justice Muneeb Akhtar remarked that it was not clear what the government wanted to do. The government seems to be on a very weak wicket. They are always heard here and there instead of the obvious. Explain if there is any legal reason regarding ECL.
Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked that why was it so quick to remove the name from ECL? Was it in such a hurry that the name was removed from ECL in two days? On which the Additional Attorney General said that the names of the cabinet members were on ECL. In the past too, names were drawn from ECL in the same manner.
In response to the Additional Attorney General, Justice Mazahir Naqvi asked whether the government’s response was that if it had happened in the past, it would still happen.
The Chief Justice remarked that the authorities had taken advantage of the amendment. We will not allow any compromise on legal process. If anyone thinks that there is no life in the case, then he should approach the concerned court. The Supreme Court commended the Prime Minister’s move to seek bail. In this regard, the Chief Justice remarked that it was good that the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister appeared in person and granted bail, however, we will also review the bail order. Cabinet members seem to have abolished the ECL.
