Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
The Upper House of parliament on Tuesday witnessed uproar over the explanatory letter of the Attorney General of Pakistan Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi following ‘misconstrued’ comments by the chief justice of Pakistan on honest prime ministers in the country’s history.
The chaos in the Senate forced the Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to adjourn the session. Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Raza Rabbani initiated the protest and the opposition parties echoed with him. As a result, commotion broke out.
Raza Rabbani said that the clarification from the AGP was similar to ‘contempt’ on the Senate. He said that the AGP dared to explain the proceedings of the house despite that he was not a member. “He cannot control the proceedings of the House neither tender explanation on its behalf,” Rabbani said.
Rabbani said that if the AGP is so supportive of the parliament and judiciary, then he must also “defend the parliament when it is attacked by the court”. “The attorney general cannot speak for the parliament. A letter should be written to him on this matter,” the senator said protesting against the AGP’s letter during a session chaired by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Tarar also shared his views on the AGP defending the top judge’s remarks. “The attorney general clarified that he was present in the Supreme Court and that the chief justice did not make those remarks. The comments were misconstrued on social media,” Senator Tarar said, sharing that the AGP’s letter is with him as an entrusted possession.
The letter explained that the statement was being shared with the law minister with the hope that he may share the correct facts with his fellow parliamentarians for setting the record straight.
AGP in his letter maintained that he was present in the court during the hearing and could confirm that the CJP in his remarks did not say that only one prime minister was honest in the history of Pakistan during the proceeding on Imran Khan’s petition against NAB amendments.
“An incorrect version of certain observations by the Chief Justice of Pakistan made that day during the proceedings of Constitution petition no. 21/2022 titled Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi vs Federation of Pakistan [is being] circulated on social media platforms,” the AGP said in the letter.
A heated debate occurred in the Senate between the treasury and opposition benches over the CJP’s remarks about parliament. The chief justice had stated that the current parliament was deliberately kept incomplete, and the legislation being passed was becoming controversial.
“Only one prime minister has come in Pakistan’s history who was considered most honest. One honest prime minister’s government was ended through 58 (2b). Article 58 (2b) was a draconian law. The court had said in 1993 that the government was sent packing in the wrong manner but only elections should be conducted now,” the top Supreme Court judge was quoted as saying.
The comments drew ire from senators in last week’s session during which Pakistan Muslim League-N Senator Irfan Ul Haque Siddiqui raised his concerns.
“The chief justice called only one prime minister honest, who is probably Muhammad Khan Junejo. Who gave him the merit to declare everyone from Liaquat Ali Khan to Imran Khan dishonest,” Siddiqui said.
On the other hand, Senate opposition leader, Dr Shahzad Waseem once again asked the government to announce the election schedule for the Punjab Assembly polls. He criticized the government for using “delaying tactics” for announcing polls. The leader of the opposition also denounced the government for increasing the prices of essential items for daily use, especially gas prices.
