PM Shehbaz takes exception to CJP Bandial’s remarks throughout SC listening to on Punjab polls – Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday took exception to remarks made by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial throughout the Supreme Court docket listening to on the postponement of polls in Punjab.

For the previous week, the highest courtroom has been listening to the PTI’s petition towards the Election Fee of Pakistan’s (ECP) determination to postpone polls to the Punjab Meeting until October 8. Earlier at the moment, the courtroom reserved its verdict within the case.

In the course of the hearing performed on March 31, the CJP had made the next remarks: “Right now, once you go to parliament, you discover folks addressing the parliament who have been until yesterday in captivity, imprisoned, declared traitors. They’re now speaking over there, and being revered as a result of they’re representatives of the folks.”

The remarks had come a day after a invoice aimed toward clipping powers of the CJP and giving the correct to enchantment in all suo motu circumstances with retrospective impact sailed through the Senate with out being despatched to the related standing committee. The invoice, titled the ‘Supreme Court docket (Apply and Process) Invoice 2023’, seeks to remove the discretionary powers of the CJP to take suo motu discover, type benches and allocate circumstances in a person capability.

Addressing the CJP’s remarks on the ground of the Nationwide Meeting, the premier mentioned that Pakistan’s historical past was rife with examples of people serving jail sentences for having a selected stance or standpoint.

“To serve a jail sentence in a prison case in a simply society by the hands of a good decide is a matter of dishonour,” he mentioned.

Nonetheless, the PTI authorities headed by Imran Khan was consumed with placing opposition leaders behind bars, Shehbaz mentioned, including that he was additionally among the many politicians who have been jailed throughout the earlier authorities.

“Imran despatched me to jail not as soon as, however twice. He was absolutely ready to ship me to jail for a 3rd time.”

The prime minister additionally recounted the varied authorized proceedings he needed to face throughout the PTI authorities’s tenure. He additionally famous that he was granted bail by completely different courts.

“It’s God’s grace that I used to be launched on benefit and that I’m right here at the moment. My crime was that I […] absolutely raised my voice towards the federal government’s wrongdoings. However this was not acceptable to Imran who thought-about us a thorn in his aspect,” the premier mentioned.

Referring to the CJP’s remarks, PM Shehbaz requested: “Is it a criminal offense that after having efficiently fought my case within the excessive courts, a choice is then made primarily based on benefit? Is that this a matter of respect and satisfaction or disgrace? […] is it a matter of disgrace or respect that I’m current on this Home at the moment and might communicate with my head held excessive?”

PM Shehbaz mentioned that the CJP had said that those that had served jail phrases prior to now have been now making speeches in parliament however questioned if he would say something concerning the “baseless circumstances” towards the previous opposition.

“I wish to ask the chief justice, {that a} decide towards whom there have been severe allegations, what message do you wish to ship to the nation by having him sit alongside you?”

The premier mentioned that lawmakers who had secured bail in “baseless circumstances” had the correct to signify the aspirations of the individuals who had elected them.

“It’s not a criminal offense that we have now come right here after serving jail sentences and acquiring bail on benefit. However you could have an individual, towards whom there have been severe allegations of corruption, sitting alongside you.”

The prime minister mentioned that as an elected consultant, he would first take a look at himself earlier than saying something, including that this precept “applies to everybody.”

The premier wished that the CJP would have as a substitute talked concerning the UK’s Nationwide Crime Company’s investigation towards him whereby it had discovered no proof of any prison actions or the apology issued by the Each day Mail after it accused the premier of “stealing British overseas support cash”.

“He (CJP Bandial) didn’t keep in mind all of this however he remembered that I used to be making a speech after serving a jail sentence. This double customary can’t proceed.”

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