News
PM disqualification: SC seeks text of PM’s speech in parliament
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Wednesday sought the text of the prime minister's speech in Parliament that he delivered on August 29 and stated that any words uttered in the House comprised public property and should be available to them.
A three-judge bench of the SC headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja resumed hearing the identical petitions filed by former MNA and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Gohar Sindhu Advocate seeking disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister.
The petitioners had requested the court to disqualify Nawaz under Article 62 (f) of the Constitution, claiming he gave a false statement during a joint sitting of the parliament regarding the role of army chief in negotiations with PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).
During the hearing, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja addressed the petitioner’s lawyer and remarked petitioner’s claim appear right in prima facie and if the petition is maintainable, the court will decide upon the procedure.
He also suggested the council of the petitioner to come prepared tomorrow as his argument on the maintainability of the petition would be heard by the court.
The prosecutor also gave his arguments on the Prime Minister’s speech in the parliament, on which Justice Jawwad S Khawaja sought the official summary of the speech to be produced in the court.
When the mediation between the government and protesting parties was discussed, Justice Dost Mohammad inquired if the tweet of ISPR spokesperson could be considered as evidence according to the law.
He said that usually the ISPR addressed a press conference to issue a statement and answer all the questions but he had only posted a tweet. The question is whether he was the witness to PM and army chief’s statements. Was it issued on behalf of army or army chief?
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that lies are being told in and outside the parliament.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk