Politics

Supreme Court being ‘maligned’ via audio leaks: CJP Bandial

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

We are being patient and ignoring these tapes, says CJP.
Says it is unfortunate that baseless allegations have been made against judges.
CJP also questions authenticity of audio leaks.

ISLAMABAD: Following a series of leaked audios against judges, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday observed that the Supreme Court is a constitutional institution which is being “maligned” via audio tapes.

The remarks were passed by the top judge while heading a two-member bench hearing a plea filed by former Lahore capital city police officer Ghulam Mehmood Dogar against his transfer. During the hearing, the Supreme Court also disposed ofthe appeal as it was taken back by the petitioner.

“The Supreme Court is a constitutional institution which is being maligned through audio tapes,” the CJP said. He added that the apex court will work with patience to protect the institution.

“These audio tapes defaming constitutional institutions are of no importance. We are being patient and taking a lenient view of these tapes. We will protect the institution,” said the CJP. He added that it was unfortunate that baseless and false allegations have been made against the judges in audio and video leaks.

“What is the authenticity of these audio and video tapes?” remarked the CJP.

Earlier at the outset of the hearing, Dogar’s lawyer Abid Zuberi told the court that he wishes to take back the petition.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) lawyer informed the court that the election schedule has been issued for the polls in Punjab.

“As per Article 218 holding free and fair elections is our responsibility. For a level-playing field, the ECP has the power to shuffle the bureaucracy,” said the lawyer. He added that the caretaker government can also transfer officers with the ECP’s approval.

At this, Justice Yahya Afridi asked, when does the ECP exercise its power of issuing transfer and posting orders?

CJP Bandial remarked that the ECP uses the power to transfer officers to ensure transparent elections. “It has been proven that the caretaker government transfers officials with the ECP’s permission.”

“The Election Commission itself can give orders to the caretaker government to transfer officers,” said the CJP.

Moving on, CJP Bandial remarked that the ECP has wide-ranging powers, adding that all political parties should get an equal chance during elections.

The top judge also remarked that the ECP should not give a free hand to the caretaker government for the transfer of the officers. He added that ECP should ask the caretaker government about such transfers.

“At times Supreme Court’s words are misinterpreted,” said the CJP. He added that the court had remarked that in 1988 there was an honest prime minister which was misunderstood by the Parliament.

“We did not say that till now there has been only one honest prime minister,” clarified the CJP. He added that the court has protected constitutional institutions in its decisions.

“Judiciary is being attacked [and] judiciary we will be protected,” said the top judge.

Latest News

Salim Haider’s inauguration as Punjab governor will be attended by Bilawal.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

Punjab governor Sardar Salim Haider Khan, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), will take the oath of office today (Tuesday).

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Governor’s House, according to sources. Chief Justice Sardar Salim Haider of the Lahore High Court (LHC) will administer the oath.

The leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Punjab cabinet members, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and PPP leaders will be present at the oath-taking event.

The ceremony to take the oath of office was originally slated for Sunday, May 5, but it was postponed for two days due to the absence of the current governor, Balighur Rehman. The PPP leaders had been asked by the PML-N to reschedule the event by two days.

Latest News

Everything is prepared for Nawaz to lead the PML-N once more.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

After finalizing the necessary arrangements, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is ready to assume leadership of the party.

Monday in the party’s Model Town secretariat, the former three-time prime minister presided over a high-level meeting.

The general council meeting of the PML-N, which is set for May 11, was thoroughly briefed by secretary general Ahsan Iqbal.

Along with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, prominent members of the PML-N, including Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Saad Rafique, and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, were also present at the meeting.

Sources state that Kh Saad Rafique, the party’s veteran, will be named secretary general and Nawaz Sharif will be re-elected as PML-N president during the general council meeting.

To elect Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, a resolution would be put forth during the meeting.

The older Sharif was asked to lead the party once more in a unanimous resolution that the PML-N chapter in Punjab passed a few days prior.

The contentious judiciary judgment that forced Mian Nawaz Sharif to resign as PML-N president. He has been acquitted and the barriers of repression have been removed. Following the resolution’s passing, PML-N Punjab president Rana Sanaullah declared, “The PML-N will advance under his leadership.

It has been stated that Nawaz Sharif was asked to take over as PML-N leader once again.

The former prime minister was compelled to leave the party in 2017, he continued.

Insiders claim that in an effort to stir up more energy inside the party, it was decided to divide the government and organizational offices.
Herhbaz Sharif, the current president, is too busy serving as prime minister to devote much of his attention to the party.

“After taking office again as president, Nawaz Sharif will travel to all four provinces to reorganize the party,” a top PML-N figure stated.

Nationwide, there are plans to replace provincial leaders as well.

All four provinces, including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, will send representatives to the general council meeting, along with members of the central executive committee, senators, and MNAs.

Latest News

President Zardari lists the government’s key priority as Balochistan’s prosperity.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

The advancement and prosperity of the province of Balochistan and its people remained a primary priority for the current government, as President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed on Monday.

He declared his intention to play their rightful part in maintaining Pakistan’s stability and further resolved to set Balochistan on the path of wealth and advancement.

The president was speaking during a luncheon held in his honor at the invitation of Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, according to a press statement from the President Secretariat Press Wing.
Because of its extensive coastal strip and natural wealth, the president claimed that Balochistan was special.

The globe was progressing quickly, he said, emphasizing the need for new technology to be used to explore natural riches in the provinces.

In order for the province to generate enough yield, he stated that they will work to make the uncultivated areas into cultivable land using efficient irrigation systems.

In his view, the 18th Amendment, which was passed during their previous administration and was intended to protect provincial rights and advance national development, had benefited all of the provinces.

Although the province was endowed with rich supplies of gas and oil, President Zardari noted that they had not kept up with the most recent developments in this industry and that there was still time to use these natural resources to suit the nation’s economic needs.

Speaking of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), he stated that it was helping low-income and worthy families and made hints about the possibility of expanding similar programs.

In particular, he stated that he would like to strive toward the advancement and prosperity of the people of Balochistan province and the nation as a whole.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of political discourse in resolving any disputes and pledged the province government full assistance in order to facilitate chances for their development.