Pakistan ‘Immune’ govt not to write letter

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, coming hard against the recent verdict of superior judiciary of striking down the new contempt of court law, has said that parliament is supreme, so no institution can declare null and void any of its legislation. Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference at Sindh Secretariat on Saturday, Sindh Information Minister declared that present judiciary was restored because of NRO of a dictator Pervez Musharraf, who quit as chief of army staff due to contract with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, which paved way for restoration of superior judiciary. Flanked with leaders of the Peoples Lawyers wing of ruling PPP, he counted the history of cases and said that the PPP and its leadership always victimised under baseless political cases and not received justice in past from the present judiciary. He said that though the PPP never received justice from the courts, but it will continue its respect and regards for the judiciary. Mouthpiece of PPP-led Sindh government said that the PPP workers and lawyers sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the independence of judiciary and rule of law. “We don’t want confrontation among the national institutions as every institution must stay in its constitutional limits.” The PPP accepted the decision of disqualification of elected Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with protests, but will continue raising the voice for our rights, he said. Everyone knows that the legislation and amendment in the constitution was the only right of parliament, which could not be snatched by any institution neither it could be given this constitutional right to any other, he declared. PPP leader said that case being heard in the Supreme Court and NRO had connection. He said that the PPP was loser in the NRO, and all others including Nawaz Sharif and other parties were the beneficiaries of it. He termed the signing of NRO by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto as wise move, which paved way for quitting of Pervez Musharraf as the army chief, holding of new general elections in the country. Even, the restoration of judiciary and return of Mian Nawaz Sharif in the country was because of NRO, he claimed, adding that Pervez Musharraf would remain as army chief if NRO was not come. Memon questioned that all the agreements and cases of the Nawaz Sharif was pardoned under NRO than why the judiciary insisting for reopening of trial of grave of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto through reopening of the Swiss case as Asif Ali Zsardari was already completed his term in the jail of 11 years despite baseless and political cases under the regime of the Nawaz Sharif. He declared that constitution of Pakistan allows immunity for the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardri, so present government will never write letter to the Swiss government for reopening of the fake cases. He further questioned that when 8,000 other cases of rape, murder and other crimes was also involved in the NRO, but why the Supreme Court was not asking for reopening of these cases. Why Supreme Court is in hurry of reopening one case, in which the President has got immunity by the constitution, he questioned. He advised the superior judiciary to wait for one and half year when Asif Ali Zardari completes its tenure as President. He further said that money laundering cases against President Zardari was baseless, which was not proved by Nawaz Sharif during its regime as President remained behind the bars for 11 years political victimisation. Emphasize from the superior judiciary for reopening of one case is aimed to create a crisis in the country, he alleged, declaring that PPP will not let to create such situation and will not write the letter against its own President. To a question, he said that PPP was ready to sacrifice 1,000 prime ministers for safeguarding the constitution of Pakistan. Memon assured that PPP will continue its policy of restraining about judiciary and its decisions, adding that the PPP will not follow the policy of attacking the Supreme Court like the Nawaz Sharif government did in the past. He alleged that that the superior judiciary has ‘soft corner’ for Nawaz Sharif as not a single case was being opened against him and other parties. He questioned that why the accountability for PPP leadership. He underlined the need for accountability of each and everyone including judges, who validated the military rulers under the ideology of necessity. During the press conference of the Sindh information minister, a video was played on the multimedia, in which PML-N leaders was trying to climb on the walls of Supreme Court building. Another video clip was played, in which Awami Muslim leader Shaikh Rashid was allegedly saying that Chaudhry Iftikhar (CJ) had visited his Lal Haveli a number of times to get some ‘favour’. Raising questions on behalf of public, he asked for clarification of reports that all commercial deals of Arslan Iftikhar done at the house of his father Chief Justice Chaudhry Iftikhar’s official home. Besides, he asked for clarification that why the Supreme Court has blocked the investigation into alleged corruption cases against CJ’s son Arslan Iftikhar. Information minister further asked that when over 100 PCO judges was removed or resigned, why one PCO (CJP) was holding the office. He declared that the PPP never bow before any unconstitutional steps or blackmailing and will protect its right of rule to complete its five years term of the government. He said that PPP was the symbol of unity for four provinces, so it would foil all conspiracies.