News
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Time for judiciary to change ‘anti-PPP image’* Law minister says actions taken by president, prime minister and ministers have constitutional immunity under Article 242 and cannot be challenged in court
By Asghar Azad
KARACHI: Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek on Saturday said it was a public perception that “judiciary is against the Pakistan People’s Party” therefore the responsibility lies with the Supreme Court to change such perception.
The law minister was talking to reporters after his meeting with Deputy Attorney General Ashique Raza at the Sindh High Court. Naek said “judiciary is against the Pakistan People’s Party” is a public perception, adding that, “Now it is the SC’s responsibility to bring an end to this perception.” The law minister said decisions taken by the president, the premier and federal ministers were protected under Article 242 of the constitution and could not be challenged.
“To run the government is responsibility of the executive. Parliamentarians are meant to legislate and it is the responsibility of the judiciary to ensure implementation of laws,” Naek also said.
Naek said that there was nothing in the new contempt of court law that judicial decisions could be enforced against the president and the prime minister. He said an independent judicial system was necessary along with an independent judiciary. He said the government accorded due honour and respect to the judiciary and was not interested in clipping its powers. He said that at the same time the government did not want confrontation between institutions and if they worked by remaining within their ambit that would strengthen democracy.
He said if the courts agree, the government was ready for functioning of the courts in the evening for speedy disposal of cases. He said shortage of women judges was being felt in the country. He said bar councils and the Law Ministry should also be given authority to propose names of judges.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk