ISLAMABAD, May 15 (NNI): The National Assembly on Monday adopted a motion calling for filing a reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
The motion against the Chief Justice’s behaviour was introduced by MNA Shazia Sobia.
The National Assembly passed the motion unanimously which sought formation of a special committee to file a reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for his misconduct and deviating from oath.
The motion, which was moved by Dr Shazia Sobia, was adopted by the House.
The members of the committee included Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, Khursheed Junejo, Shehnaz Baloch, Salahuddin and Salahuddin Ayubi.
The House also passed two resolutions with one voice against attacks on Jinnah House Lahore, GHQ and military installations, expressing unwavering support and solidarity with the armed forces and security agencies.
The two resolutions moved by Sabir Qaimkhani and Wajeeha Qamar said they stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
The house condemned unequivocally the acts of vandalism and burning of infrastructure following the arrest of a nabbed accused Imran Khan.
The resolutions voiced serious concerns and outrage over the negative impact of the violent acts on the socio-economic development, public welfare and stability of the country.
Strongly condemning the attacks on Jinnah House, the GHQ, memorials of the martyrs, historic buildings, mosques and schools, the resolutions recognized and appreciated the vital role played by the armed forces and security agencies in upholding the sovereignty, safeguarding public order and ensuring the safety and security of the people.
Recognizing the importance of bringing the criminals to justice and upholding the rule of law, the resolutions called for swift and impartial investigation into these incidents and urged the government to take severe action against the perpetrators regardless of their affiliation or political background.
The house condemned the baseless allegations being levelled by a political party against the defence institutions, stressing that such elements should be given strict punishment as per the law.
Voicing concerns over the recent decisions of the Supreme Court, the house noted that these have undermined the institution’s credibility and impartiality.
The house recognized the constitutional imperative of an impartial and independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice and safeguarding democratic principles of the nation.
The resolutions noted that it is essential that the judiciary functions without biasness and favouritism to maintain the trust and confidence of the people.
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said the incidents of arson and vandalism over the arrest of Imran Khan were pre planned. She said the PTI had hired certain elements to carry out violent acts in the country. She said the leaders of PPP and PML-N were arrested in the PTI government but nobody took notice of them. She said the favors are only being provided to the PTI Chairman and that too in corruption cases such as that of Al-Qadir Trust.
Others who spoke on the occasion included: Akhtar Mengal, Akbar Chitrali, Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh.
Speaking on the floor of the House earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has demanded the formulation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the incidents of undue support to a person (PTI chief) by the judiciary along with a reference to be sent to the Supreme Judicial Council under Article 209 of the Constitution on the matter.
The defence minister said that the time has come for the Parliament to play its constitutional role in this situation. He said in the 75-year history of the country’s judiciary, there had been incidents that have had a profound impact on the country, but recently a group of the judiciary started supporting a political group.
He said that political support is seen from the current decisions of the judiciary, adding, the decision of 4-3 has no constitutional value, because the only purpose of judiciary is to give relief to Imran Khan.
“The time has come for the Parliament to send a reference of misconduct to the Supreme Judicial Council, under the authority and law given to it by the Constitution”, Khawaja Asif stressed. He lamented that the Judiciary changed the structure of the Constitution by rewriting 63-A to protect the interests of a specific person.
While quoting the attacks on Corps Commander’s house, Rangers post, GHQ and PAF Base Mianwali, he said that protection was being provided to those who desecrate the memorials of martyrs. “The entire nation is indebted to its martyrs because they have sacrificed their lives for our tomorrow.”
He said that PTI violent supporters on the direction of their leadership had attacked Quaid-e-Azam’s house which was a shameful act as the building was a national heritage of the country. He said that India provided vast coverage of the incident on its mainstream media. He questioned that the judiciary does not understand these incidents.
Khawaja Asif while giving an example of Islamic history, quoted that when a judge saw a criminal and stood up, Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A.) de-notified him. “I demand that the Parliament send a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council”, he added.
Khawaja Asif went on to say that Nawaz Sharif’s wife was dying but he was not given a phone facility but Imran Khan was given a facility in the custody. “This person (Imran Khan) cannot be loyal to anyone except his own interests” Defense Minister informed the lower house.
He said that Malik Riaz’s money laundering money was used in Al-Qadir Trust and both Imran Khan and his wife took benefit of billions of rupees from it. Two hundred and fifty kanals of land was also acquired in Bani Gala.
He said that a lot of money was spent on the inquiries against Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, but the UK s National Crime Agency (NCA) acquitted them as no evidence was presented.
He said that Imran Khan could also have investigated this case during his government but he did not as he knew that this was a fake case. “When I raised this issue, Malik Riaz called me and said, “Khwaja Sahib leave it, what are you doing”.
He said that now they (PTI leaders) were talking about the sanctity of the house, and why they did not protect the sanctity of the houses of Maryam Nawaz, Faryal Talpur and other women during their government.
He said that the court decision was leaked through leaked video of Tariq Rahim, adding, this was a mockery of the justice system. The paper was leaked a day ago, which disgraced the justice system. He said that the system of this country has given them respect which should be maintained through loyal decisions.
He urged that the parliament should exercise its powers under the constitution and take action against the injustice. The purpose of all these action is that Justice Qazi Faiz Isa did not become the Chief Justice in September. He demanded that another committee should also be formed to examine the pending cases in the judiciary.
Lawmakers in the National Assembly while strongly condemning arsenal attacks on Jinnah House, radio Pakistan Peshawar building, damaging public and private properties in various parts of the country by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) violent protesters on Monday demanded to try its chairman Imran Khan under Army Act.
Speaking in the National Assembly here they said such elements made the entire country hostage by creating anarchy and commotion and damaging public and private properties. Such anti-state elements do not deserve any leniency and they should be taken to task, they added.
Leader of the Opposition in NA Raja Riaz Ahmed termed Imran Khan a ‘fitna’ when he was arrested in a corruption case; his (Imran) supporters resorted to violent protest and torched the historical Jinnah House, Radio Pakistan Peshawar besides damaging statues of martyrs.
Fitna Khan has ashamed the whole nation but he was given a warm welcome at the Apex court, he said. He demanded that a case should be registered under the army act against ‘Fitna Khan’ besides trying under the army act. He also urged the chair to adjourn the Housing proceeding for 10 minutes or play the national anthem several times in solidarity with armed forces and Pakistan.
Saladuddin of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said anti state elements deserved no leniency and those involved in attacking and damaging public and private properties should be tried under army act.
He said many persons were taken into custody from the courts’ premises after cancellation of their bails. The entire country was made hostage by the miscreants of PTI who restored to violent protest soon after the arrest of Imran Khan, he added. He said there were solid corruption evidence against Imran Khan in Al-Qadir case but he was giving special treatment by the judiciary.
He said that on May 9, a vehicle in which he and MNA Sabir Qaimkhani were traveling towards Islamabad was also attacked by PTI violent protesters near Chungi-26. He demanded strict action against ‘Fitna Khan’ and his supporters after registering cases against them.
Salauddin Ayubi of JUI-F while condemning PTI and Imran Khan for torching toll plaza, public and private properties demanded of the government to declare PTI as terrorist organization and impose ban on it. The PTI wanted civil war in the country, he added. He said PTI not only destroyed country’s economy but also trying to create anarchy.
Abdul Qadir Mandokhel of PPP said a transparent inquiry should be held in arsenal attacks on Jinnah House and other public and private properties by the PTI workers. Imran Khan should be nominated in attack on Jinnah House, he added. NNI
