News
Sunday, April 14, 2013
CJP takes notice of ‘unlimited’ perks, privileges of ex-rulers
* Seeks para-wise comments from AGP, Sindh IG over unprecedented security protocol to ex-PMs, unlimited perks and privileges for Rehman Malik, Sindh ex-CM, speaker and deputy speaker Sindh
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of unprecedented security protocol to former prime ministers, unlimited perks and privileges for Rehman Malik and his predecessors, chief minister and Sindh Assembly speaker and deputy speaker, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has sought para-wise comments from the attorney general of Pakistan, advocate general and the Sindh Police inspector general on April 16.
The Supreme Court also asked them whether at the cost of public exchequer the benefits extended to the former primer minister and others could be provided by sparing contingent of police as per their choice and desire.
According to details, the CJP took notice of the Supreme Court registrar’s note, which is based on press clippings of different newspapers containing details that just one day before the end of the National Assembly’s term, Raja Pervez Ashraf issued an order for an “unprecedented security protocol” for himself and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
It was stated that just hours before the constitutional tenure of parliament came to an end, the Interior Ministry issued a notification on March 14, 2013, declaring unlimited perks and privileges for Rehman Malik and his predecessors.
The clippings further mentioned that the Sindh Assembly on March 14, 2013 passed two private bills moved by PPP legislators Ghulam Mujadid Isran and Dr Sikander Mandhro to grant lifetime monetary and other benefits to the outgoing chief minister, the speaker and the deputy speaker.
Passing an order on Saturday, the chief justice issued a notice to the interior and law secretaries, specifying the competence – under the constitution and the law – of the prime minister to extend lifetime benefits to himself as well as to the former and future primer ministers at the cost of public exchequer.
They were also told to explain as to whether the notification dated March 14, 2013 issued by the Interior Ministry extending security/protocol to then interior minister from public exchequer was in accordance with law and the constitution. The interior and law secretaries had also been directed to place on record the copies of the orders/notifications issued by the prime minister as well as the interior secretary.
The auditor general and the accountant general of Pakistan have been told to calculate the approximate financial burden, which the nation had to bear if the privileges were conferred by a prime minister upon himself and others. Raja Pervez Ashraf, Rehman Malik as well as Syed Qaim Ali Shah have also been told to appear in person or through their counsels, if they desire to support or justify the actions of the prime minister and the legislation, respectively.
“The Sindh advocate general may also place on record a copy of Sindh Provincial Assembly (Members) Privileges (Amendment) Law, 2013.”
After going through the contents provided by the SC registrar, the CJP observed that prima facie, it seemed that at the cost of public exchequer and in violation of articles 3, 9, 14 and 25 of the constitution, the order issued by the former prime minister and notification dated 14-03-2013 issued by Interior Ministry were without any lawful authority. “Likewise, two amendments made by the Sindh Assembly extending privileges to the former chief ministers, speakers, deputy speakers and the ministers at the cost of public exchequer being unconstitutional are unwarranted, as no law can be promulgated, which is not in consonance with the constitution.”
“The privileges, which have been extended to the above functionaries for the purpose of self serving, are required to be examined at the touchstone of Article 184(3) of the constitution,” he ordered.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk