Daily Times

LAHORE: A spokesman for the chief justice of Pakistan on Sunday denied the statement issued by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah regarding the coming elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesman for the apex court rebuffed the statement from the Punjab law minister and termed it baseless and said that the chief justice had not uttered such words nor expressed any hope for PML-N government in next elections.

While talking to the media after attending the SC hearing in clean water case, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had said that the Punjab chief minister had appeared before the court because he respected judiciary. “Punjab CM appearance before the court is proof of this claim that he also respects the decisions of the court. We respect the courts in legal and constitutional affairs,” he had said.

He had said that the chief justice of Pakistan had applauded the performance of the Punjab government and the provincial government would also ensure to properly handle the issue of clean water.

Responding to a query regarding the CJP remarks that Shehbaz Sharif could be the next prime minister, Rana Sanaullah said that the next prime minister would be chosen by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Nawaz Sharif, and not the chief justice.

“It is our legal and constitutional right to criticise the judgments of the courts,” he had said. The Punjab minister further claimed that the chief justice had expressed desire that PML-N would win next general elections in 2018 and they hope that his desire would be fulfilled.

“He [the CJP] had expressed his wish to see Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) win the next general elections,” the minister had said.

Sanaullah stressed that it was the wrong impression that his party only criticises courts decisions. He further said Inspector General of Police and Punjab chief secretary had already made the decision to remove barricades from all roads except two roads near the Punjab Rangers office and the Chief Minister’s residence.

The law minister also highlighted that a suicide attack had been foiled at Punjab CM’s residence owing to closures. “The suicide bomber that blew outside the Arfa Karim Tower would have attacked the CM residence 180-H Model Town if roads were not closed. However, as the CJP was not convinced from the viewpoint of the Punjab chief secretary so the Punjab government has decided to remove hurdles well before the court deadline.”

Published in Daily Times, February 12^th 2018.