SC to Start Hearing NRO Petitions from Tomorrow

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: The federal government will not defend the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in the Supreme Court when a 17-member bench starts hearing the clubbed petitions of Dr Mubashir Hassan and Roedad Khan on Monday.

Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan Agha Tariq confirmed to Geo News on Saturday that the government had decided not to defend the NRO in the Supreme Court.

Agha Tariq, who will be a member of the attorney general’s team in the Supreme Court, said: “We will not defend the NRO in the Supreme Court. However, if any individual in the government, who is affected by it, wants to defend it then we will not stop him.” He described “We” as the Government of Pakistan.

State Minister for Law Afzal Sindhu, however, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilaniís speeches on the floor of the National Assembly would be the basis of the government decision to take a position on the NRO.

The prime minister has been criticizing the notorious legislation in parliament. But Sindhu said: “We will take a final decision on Sunday (today) as to whether the government will defend or oppose the NRO or any other option is to be exercised.”

He said the lawyers’ arguments may take two to three days, giving the government enough time to make a formal decision on defending or opposing the NRO.

The minister said he had given enough hint about the government’s strategy to be adopted on the NRO petitions. He again emphasised that the prime minister’s words in parliament would be the guiding line. “You, yourself, can be the best judge what the prime minister has been saying in the National Assembly,” he said.

Sources said the NRO’s forced withdrawal from parliament had, in fact, left no argument for the government to defend it in the apex court which had also issued notices to the Federation, the NAB, the attorney general and many others to appear before it during the hearings to be carried out on daily basis.

Acting Attorney General of Pakistan Shah Khawar has still not been informed by the Government of Pakistan about its strategy. Shah Khawar on Saturday night told The News that he would appear in the court as the acting attorney general but would have to follow the policy of the government which was not conveyed to him till Saturday night. “I hope I will be conveyed the government’s stance on Sunday,’ he said.