Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah has advised the top court on Monday to rectify itself before opting to correct other national institutions.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ordered authorities to halt the implementation of an order by a military court which sentenced to death three hardcore terrorists

“Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar should first put his own institution in order before opting to rectify others,” Shah said on the floor of the National Assembly. “The courts are meant to deliver justice, not impose rule.”

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader went on to say that some 0.8 million cases were pending before the apex court. “Disposing of these cases is also governance,” he added.

Shah said the number of judges should be increased to 35 in the Supreme Court and 80 in the Sindh High Court.

On Monday, a two-member bench of the top court under Justice Azamat Saeed conducted a hearing into appeals filed in the SC against the execution of three terrorists namely Shafaqat, Sabir Shah and Muhammad Liaqat.

Muhammad Liaqat had been charged with attacking a journalist, while Sabir Shah and Shafaqat were deemed involved in the murder of advocate Arshad Ali in Lahore. Earlier, a military court had sentenced all three of them to death.

Separately, Khurshid Shah said on Monday all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers should have resigned following Imran’s statement in which he denounced parliament.

The opposition leader, while in his chambers, said that after the announcement, the PTI leaders should not have waited or held consultations.

It is equivalent to disrupting the system, said Shah, adding that Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had vowed not to let the system get derailed.

While slamming PTI leaders for using “abusive” language against parliament, Shah was of the opinion that the law should be the same for everyone, even when it comes to perks associated with it.

Shah claimed that the PTI had received more than Rs 100 million from parliament, apart from other facilities.

Referring to the suspension of former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, Shah dismissed news of supporting the controversial cop. He added that Zardari was not backing the police officer.

“If Rao Anwar fails to present himself before the court, then he will face a judicial inquiry,” said the opposition leader.

Earlier on Monday, the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution condemning Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed’s remarks against parliament.

The resolution stated that Imran insulted the parliament by hurling abuses at it, and added that Imran should apologise to the nation.

At the joint opposition rally on January 17 in Lahore, Imran had cursed the parliament for allowing Nawaz Sharif’s re-election as the party head after his disqualification.

Following Imran’s remarks, Rasheed announced to resign from the assembly. He, however, has not tendered his resignation as yet.

Published in Daily Times, January 23^rd 2018.