Published in Pak Tribune
The recent remarks by the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Lahore High Court (LHC) advising the PPP to quit the Punjab government if it does not agree with the appointment of Rana Maqbool as secretary prosecution have left everyone stunned.
Judges should refrain from politicking and giving such statements. They should rather speak through their judgments. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government had requested the Punjab government not to appoint Maqbool as he was an accused in the case of cutting President Zardari’s tongue in the mid-1990s.
This incident has raised a number of serious questions. First, is the CJ authorized to speak on behalf of a proclaimed offender, and can he advise a major political party to quit the government? Second, when the CJ has openly admitted that he has relations with the Sharif brothers, was this the reason for him to be retained in Lahore rather than being promoted to the Supreme Court (SC)?
Without any iota of doubt, this amounts to sheer misconduct on the part of CJ Khawaja Sharif. Ali Ahmad Kurd, Aitzaz Ahsan and Hamid Khan, all being staunch supporters of the present judiciary, were left startled. These remarks have not only put a question mark on the credibility of Justice Sharif, but have also given legitimacy to the criticism of those who call the current judicial set-up biased. Besides, when these assertions have been condemned by all, the silence of the PML-N is indeed regrettable. Justice Sharif has brought a bad name to the judiciary and has invited open criticism. The honorable CJ of the SC is expected to take sou motu action and send the case of Justice Sharif to the Supreme Judicial Council. This would not only silence the critics of the free judiciary but would also establish a precedent that no one is above the law.
Pak Tribune
July 4, 2010
http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=229460
The recent remarks by the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Lahore High Court (LHC) advising the PPP to quit the Punjab government if it does not agree with the appointment of Rana Maqbool as secretary prosecution have left everyone stunned.
Judges should refrain from politicking and giving such statements. They should rather speak through their judgments. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government had requested the Punjab government not to appoint Maqbool as he was an accused in the case of cutting President Zardari’s tongue in the mid-1990s.
This incident has raised a number of serious questions. First, is the CJ authorized to speak on behalf of a proclaimed offender, and can he advise a major political party to quit the government? Second, when the CJ has openly admitted that he has relations with the Sharif brothers, was this the reason for him to be retained in Lahore rather than being promoted to the Supreme Court (SC)?
Without any iota of doubt, this amounts to sheer misconduct on the part of CJ Khawaja Sharif. Ali Ahmad Kurd, Aitzaz Ahsan and Hamid Khan, all being staunch supporters of the present judiciary, were left startled. These remarks have not only put a question mark on the credibility of Justice Sharif, but have also given legitimacy to the criticism of those who call the current judicial set-up biased. Besides, when these assertions have been condemned by all, the silence of the PML-N is indeed regrettable. Justice Sharif has brought a bad name to the judiciary and has invited open criticism. The honorable CJ of the SC is expected to take sou motu action and send the case of Justice Sharif to the Supreme Judicial Council. This would not only silence the critics of the free judiciary but would also establish a precedent that no one is above the law.
Pak Tribune
July 4, 2010
http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=229460
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