News
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Verdict has put civilian govt under army’s command: Asma* Haqqani’s counsel says judgment is establishment-minded
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: Asma Jahangir, the counsel for former ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, on Friday termed the court’s judgement establishment-minded, but acceptable.
Talking to reporters at the Supreme Court building, she said that it was a dark day for the judiciary because the civilian authority had come under the army through the court’s order. The counsel stated that she was forced to think that whether it was the judiciary of the people or the judiciary of the establishment, adding that she accepted the court’s decision, even though she did not agree with the judgement.
She also warned that in the future, the court’s order would haunt the petitioners (PML-N) and they would remember her statement.
“I was expecting at least one dissenting voice against the judgement, but I did not see any ray of hope in the court today,” she said.
“It is sad that the superior judiciary has done it and if saying this is a contempt of court, then I am ready to go to jail for the implementation of the rule of law,” she added. Asma contended that the judgement was not in accordance with the rule of law. She contended that the court had given the petitioners more relief than they had asked for and the court had given the national security more priority than the fundamental rights. She said she would wait for the detailed verdict and then decide about filing a review petition on the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG) of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq, while talking to reporters, said that the court had not said in its judgement regarding the parliamentary committee, which was also probing the memo issue.
The AG said that he could not say that the court’s decision was against the constitution, adding that anyone had the right to oppose the court’s decision on any matter.
He said that the court had also tasked him with investigating the alleged memo. He also mentioned that the government would consider for filing a review petition after examining the detailed judgement.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MNA Chaudhry Ayaz Amir has also objected to the court’s decision and said that the judgements should not be delivered on perceptions.
Talking to reporters at SC building, he said that the court had unnecessary expanded its jurisdiction in this case. The PML-N leader said that it was not understandable how the security of Pakistan had been damaged through the alleged memo.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk