News
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
SC hints at summoning PM to ‘argue’ NRO review petition
* CJP expresses wonder as to why counsels are not appearing to defend case
* Court issues show cause notices to solicitor general, advocate on record
Staff Report
ISLAMABD: The Supreme Court on Monday took strong exception to the stance taken by a Ministry of Law and Justice’s solicitor general, Nasir Ali Shah, and Advocate-on-Record (AoR) Raja Abdul Ghafoor over the federation’s representation issue during the hearing of the annulled National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by serving show cause notices on them. The court also hinted that it would summon the prime minister if the federation’s lawyers did not represent it on the NRO review plea.
The apex court issued notice to the AoR, asking him that as to why his name should not be removed from the rolls of the Supreme Court under Rules 3 as he failed to discharge his duties properly. A similar show cause notice was served on the solicitor general for his false statement.
The court also accepted a request of Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq over the issue of representing the federation in review case after he sought some time as he had consulted the concerned authorities and the details of which could not be divulged at the stage.
During the course of the proceedings, Additional Attorney General KK Agha informed the court that the federation had not instructed him regarding its representation in the case. “Why don’t you clearly state that the federation has shown distrust in you,” Justice Chaudhry said.
Earlier, the AoR apprised the bench that he had filed an application with the ministry seeking his separation from the case on medical grounds. The court noted that he was appearing in other cases as AoR and never complained about his withdrawal on medical grounds. The bench also expressed its displeasure over stance of the solicitor general, when he on the court’s direction could not produce the application moved by the AoR and the relevant noting in the file by saying that it was missing.
The CJP told him that he not only jeopardised his position but also put at stake AoR. He also expressed his wonder as to why counsels were not appearing to defend the case. The court adjourned the hearing until Tuesday (today).
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk