ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan said on Monday it was not right for the country’s leaders to publicly object to its verdicts, saying it was their responsibility instead to defend its rulings.
The observation was made by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial while hearing a presidential reference seeking the interpretation of Article 63-A of the constitution which sets down rules for the disqualification of lawmakers in the case of defection and violation of party policy.
The reference was filed at a time when former prime minister Imran Khan was facing a no-confidence motion against him and more than a dozen of his party lawmakers had showed willingness to vote against him during the National Assembly proceedings.
Khan lost his parliamentary majority when one of his key allies announced its decision to side with the country’s opposition, making it unnecessary for the dissident elements in his political party to weigh in during the voting process.
“We are cursed for doing our jobs and protecting the Constitution,” Dawn quoted the chief justice as saying.
He then asked Islamabad Advocate General Niazullah Khan Niazi: “Why should the court get involved in your political matters?“
The chief justice said the Supreme Court’s decisions were criticized at the gatherings of “10 to 15,000 people,” even when “the court fulfills its constitutional responsibilities.”
“National leaders should defend court decisions,” he continued.
The CJP’s observations were made only a few days after ex-PM Khan’s political rallies in which he wondered why the country’s superior judiciary opened its doors at midnight when his close aides were trying to stall the no-trust vote.
“Protecting the Constitution is our responsibility,” Justice Bandial maintained. “We will fulfill our responsibilities.”
He also noted the Supreme Court worked for 24 hours, adding that no one should “raise a finger on the court proceedings.”
The presidential reference, a copy of which is available with Arab News, called defections from a political party a “morally reprehensible and destructive act which shakes the confidence of the public in the democratic process.”
It also requested the court to give its opinion on whether a defector should be disqualified for life from electoral activity or public office and if his or her vote, after defecting, should be counted in a parliamentary motion.
The court heard arguments from various lawyers before adjourning the hearing until 1pm on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s top court objects to public criticism, says it fulfils constitutional responsibilities
https://arab.news/6922g
Pakistan’s top court objects to public criticism, says it fulfils constitutional responsibilities
- The CJP asks why the court should deal with political matters when it is later criticized
- Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial maintains ‘national leaders should defend court decisions’
World Bank president in Pakistan to discuss development projects, policy issues
- Pakistan, World Bank are currently gearing up to implement a 10-year partnership framework to grant $20 billion loans to the cash-strapped nation
- World Bank President Ajay Banga will hold meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials during the high-level visit
ISLAMABAD: World Bank President Ajay Banga has arrived in Pakistan to hold talks with senior government officials on development projects and key policy issues, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, as Islamabad seeks multilateral support to stabilize economy and accelerate growth.
The visit comes at a time when Pakistan and the World Bank are gearing up to implement a 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to grant $20 billion in loans to the cash-strapped nation.
The World Bank’s lending for Pakistan, due to start this year, will focus on education quality, child stunting, climate resilience, energy efficiency, inclusive development and private investment.
"World Bank President Ajay Banga arrives in Pakistan for a high-level visit," the state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported on Sunday. "During his stay, he will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials to discuss economic reforms, development projects, and key policy issues."
Pakistan, which nearly defaulted on its foreign debt obligations in 2023, is currently making efforts to stabilize its economy under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
Besides efforts to boost trade and foreign investment, Islamabad has been seeking support from multilateral financial institutions to ensure economic recovery.
“This partnership fosters a unified and focused vision for your county around six outcomes with clear, tangible and ambitious 10-year targets,” Martin Raiser, the World Bank vice president for South Asia, had said at the launch of the CPF in Jan. last year.
“We hope that the CPF will serve as an anchor for this engagement to keep us on the right track. Partnerships will equally be critical. More resources will be needed to have the impact at the scale that we wish to achieve and this will require close collaboration with all the development partners.”
In Dec., the World Bank said it had approved $700 million in financing for Pakistan under a multi-year initiative aimed at supporting the country's macroeconomic stability and service delivery.
It followed a $47.9 million World Bank grant in August last year to improve primary education in Pakistan's most populous Punjab province.
