Page 9 - Pakistan Link - October 13, 2023

PAKISTAN PAKISTAN LINK - OCTOBER 13, 2023 - P9
PML-N, PPP Hail SC Verdict against past judgments does not affect IHC Puts Former Army Chief,
Mian Nawaz Sharif."
on Law Curbing CJ's Powers Rehman termed the decision as an His Spymaster on Notice
Meanwhile, PPP senator Sherry
"important step for parliament's su-
premacy". ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court ban on the two journalists.
"Today’s proceedings and verdict (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Initially, the registrar’s office of the
in the Supreme Court have certainly Monday issued notices to former army IHC in March this year raised an objec-
enhanced the transparency and faded chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, ex-spymaster tion, saying that the high court was not
image of the superior court. It is also Faiz Hamid and two journalists, in re- an appropriate forum and asked the pe-
an important step forward for Parlia- sponse to a petition seeking legal pro- titioner to approach relevant authorities.
ment’s supremacy in its first obligation ceedings for allegedly flouting the Of- When the petition was heard by the chief
of making laws." ficial Secrets Act. justice, he asked the FIA DG to proceed
"Good also on CJ Issa on sharing In the petition, Atif Ali — a con- in accordance with the law. However, the
his powers to a collegial framework of cerned citizen — sought the registra- petitioner during the hearing informed
3 judges. Appeals for suo moto cases tion of a case against the journalists and the court that the investigation agency
being allowed are long overdue," the the former generals over news reports did not take any action.
senator added. regarding the ex-military officers’ role Subsequently, Justice Farooq issued
Commenting on the apex court's in politics. The director general of the notices to all respondents which in-
verdict, PTI said that the decision was Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was cluded Gen Bajwa, ex-ISI DG, journal-
a disappointment for those who had also put on notice. Justice Farooq heard ists Chaudhry and Maitla, and the FIA.
political hopes associated with the top the petition on October 4, but the court Gen Bajwa reportedly discussed
PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif and PPP’s Sherry Rehman court, in a jibe at the PML-N. order was released on Monday. various matters, including the no-con-
The party's future plan of action The petitioner contended that the fidence motion, against PTI Chairman
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim step" PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif will be put into place after a thorough interview of ex-Gen Bajwa was con- Imran Khan, civil-military relations
League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan said that the development reflects the evaluation of the verdict, PTI said in a ducted in a “reckless” manner and the and other issues in interviews with
Peoples Party (PPP), and Pakistan Teh- judiciary's respect for the parliament. statement on its X account. journalists, Javed Chaudhry and Sha- the journalists. The petitioner also an-
reek-e-Insaf (PTI), reacting to the apex "The Supreme Court's verdict re- The SC law gives the power of tak- hid Maitla, did not show any sense of nexed these articles with the petition.
court's verdict on the Supreme Court garding the Practice and Procedure ing sou motu notice to a three-member responsibility in publishing them. The The petition stated that the authors
(Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, Act 2023 is a welcome step. It not only committee comprising senior judges petition claimed the revelations made of these news articles allegedly distort-
have hailed the full court's decision. democratizes the workings of the Su- including the chief justice. It further in the interview(s) were a violation of ed facts in order to enhance the view-
The verdict — acknowledging the preme Court itself but also shows due aims to have transparent proceedings the Official Secrets Act and tantamount ership. It further said that the articles
parliament's right to legislation under respect to the Parliament, which repre- in the apex court and includes the right to inciting mutiny and disharmony. raised certain questions on the conduct
Article 191 which subjects SC rules to sents the people of Pakistan," the for- to appeal. Regarding the constitution It requested the court to issue direc- of military authorities which required
the Constitution — was announced by mer Punjab chief minister said on X. of benches, the Act stated that every tions to the director general of the Fed- to be probed.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi However, Shehbaz — addressing cause, matter, or appeal before the apex eral Investigation Agency (FIA) to reg- The petitioner claimed that the re-
Faez Isa after the full court decided to the possible effect of the verdict on court would be heard and disposed of ister an FIR against the former COAS, spondents had committed a “cognizable
sustain the law, which deals with the party supremo Nawaz Sharif — said: "It by a bench constituted by a commit- former ISI chief, and the journalists. offence” and liable to proceed in accor-
chief justice's powers, as “constitution- is important to mention that, accord- tee comprising the CJP and the two Besides, it also sought directions for dance with the relevant laws. The court
al” with a 10-5 majority. ing to legal experts, the specific clause senior-most judges. the Pakistan Electronic Media Regu- adjourned the hearing till a date to be
Terming the verdict as a "welcome under discussion concerning appeals (Continued on page 23) latory Authority (Pemra) to impose a fixed by the registrar’s office. – Dawn

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