ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the country’s top legal body, urged the Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday to take cognizance of the Panama leaks under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution and investigate Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family. Sub section 3 of the Article 184 of the Constitution, titled the Original Jurisdiction of the SC, states that the SC has the power to issue an order (take suo motu) if the matter is of public interest with reference to enforcement of any of the fundamental rights. During an emergency meeting, Executive Committee of the PBC under the chairmanship of Abdul Fayaz expressed reservations about the letter written by the top court in response to government’s request for a judicial commission on the Panama leaks.
The executive committee said that if the letter of the top court is followed in letter and spirit it would take a considerable time, adding there was no need for any legislation in view of Article 184(3) of the Constitution. “The PBC reiterates that the Honorable Supreme Court may take cognizance under Article 184(3) in relation to the person right at the top i.e. the prime minister and his children,” stated the press statement issued after the meeting.