News
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Bangladesh model cannot come to PakistanNo political cell can work in ISI: SC
* CJP seeks reply from govt on whether political cell in ISI still working
* Judiciary wants to see army stable as institution but supremacy is of constitution alone
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: Hearing the Asghar Khan case, the Supreme Court declared that no political cell could work in the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in view of its July 31 2009 judgement.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry sought reply from the federal government whether the political cell in the ISI was still working or had been disbanded. He observed that as per the July 31, 2009, verdict, existence of any such cell had been declared void ab initio.
During the proceedings, the CJP said the judiciary wants to see the institutions strong. He also made it clear that the judiciary wants to see the Pakistan Army stable as an institution, however, it wants to emphasise that there will be the supremacy of the constitution only, adding that a Bangladesh-like model cannot work here.
The CJP remarked that it had been proved that money was distributed by the ISI and that nobody had the right to ruin the government by utilising national assets.
Moreover, the Defence Ministry and Cabinet Division once again failed to produce the notification regarding setting up of a political cell in the ISI.
Attorney General Irfan Qadir pleaded the court for some time so that he could get instructions from the government and submit the written reply. Granting him time until July 30, the court directed the AG to make it abundantly clear to the prime minister and the high-ups of the armed forces that this principle stood explicitly defined in the rulings of July 31, 2009 and June 19, 2012 in the disqualification of Yousaf Raza Gilani that now only those functions will be permissible to be performed which are in absolute harmony with the constitution.
Defence and Cabinet Division Secretary Nargis Sethi told the court that she tried her best to find out the notification issued by her ministry, but failed. She also assured the court that she would try once more by directing officials of both Defence Ministry and cabinet. She also submitted before the bench that since the issue was around 38 years old it was not easy to trace the record.
The court directed Sethi to tell the court if the Defence Ministry will represent the ISI and Military Intelligence in the case or a counsel will be appointed. She said she would seek instructions from the government in this regard. The hearing has been adjourned until July 30.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk