ISLAMABAD: All eyes are on the Supreme Court’s proceedings in the rental projects (RPPs) corruption case today (Thursday) because Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday clarified that even if the sky falls, the Supreme Court will continue to dispense justice according to the constitution.
In the backdrop of the Supreme Court’ s January 15 order to NAB for the arrest of all accused in the case, including Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, the CJP said that “dhols (drums)” were being beaten that the court should not hear cases, but it would continue to dispense justice under all circumstances. During the hearing of former Karachi nazim Haji Namat Khan’s petition about the abolishment of encroachments from the public parks in Karachi, the chief justice exchanged these observations with former Supreme Court Bar Association president Yasin Azad.
Being a former SCBA president, the CJP also asked the counsel whether the court should stop hearing of the cases. To this, Yasin replied that the court should continue hearing of different matters before it. The CJ also remarked that the court hears cases in courtroom, as it has no concern with what is going on outside the court. The chief justice remarked that judges had taken oath for dispensing justice in the country and they had no need of appreciation. It is worth mentioning that the CJ had repeated his same observations almost twice in a day.
On the other hand, Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir contended that the SC could not direct NAB for the arrest of the incumbent prime minister, as it is only the discretion of NAB chairman to file a reference against any person. He also said that ten years of punishment could be awarded for interference in NAB’s affairs. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the NAB chairman will appear before the SC today (Thursday) and submit his response regarding the arrest of PM Raja. – DailyTimes
