Kaira says Fazl hasn’t parted ways with govt
ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira Saturday said Fazl-ur-Rehman does oppose government policies but he has not parted ways with the government nor there is any deadlock.
Talking to media men outside Parliament House here, the Information Minister said all the coalitions parties have their respective manifestos therefore they may not be on same page with the government on some of the matters. But, he added, efforts will be made to neutralize their reservations.
He said budget has approved with majority and therefore presence of all the members in the Parliament is insignificant.
Qamar Zaman said the objections of the will be removed after listening their reservations.
SC rejects objections of federation over bench formation
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday rejected the objections of the Federation against the bench constituted to hear the constitutional petitions against the Eighteenth Amendment, Geo News reported Monday.
Earlier, the SC reserved the verdict after completing the hearing of objections against the bench constituted to hear the constitutional petitions against the Eighteenth Amendment.
It should be mentioned that the SC announced to declare the verdict at 1130am; however, the apex court delayed its verdict after receiving a letter from the President’s Principal Secretary Salman Farooqui and left from the courtroom-1.
The SC’s larger bench heard the objections of the federation; of them, the first related the non-inclusion of Justice Zahid and the second was about the CJ’s presence on the bench.
After hearing again in the afternoon, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry read the detailed ruling, saying that all the objections of the Fedetaion regarding the bench formation have been set aside.
Also, the court issued show-cause notice to Dr Abdul Basit to mislead the court on intention.
Earlier, the SC Registrar received Farooqui’s letter and handed it to the judges sitting in the courtroom, where everyone read it one after the other.
In his letter, Salman denied the objections attributed to him regarding the bench formation. On this occasion, the Federation’s counsel Abdul Basit rose up and said he was on mistake in connection with his client; and hence, he should be punished.
Basit pleaded he be heard afresh. The court affirmed he would be given the chance. Now, the court will resume its proceedings again today.
The SC today resumed hearing of petitions challenging certain provisions of the 18th amendment, particularly the formation of a judicial commission for appointment of judges to the superior courts.
The government’s representative Abdul Basit said that the chief justice, who is a part to the Judicial Commission for the judges’ appointment, should not be hearing the 18th amendment case and objected to the formation of the full court bench headed by the CJ.
When the court asked Basit about the objections, he said he talked to President’s Chief of Staff Salman Farooqui, not the President, adding that he (Farooqui) objected to bench formation.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry queried him why the President was contacted instead of the Prime Minister, urging him to put everything in black and white.
The CJ said this is a case of great note; hence, its hearing would be open, which would invite no furrowing of brows.
The federation’s counsel said, ‘To proceed with the case would be tantamount to trample the Constitution.’
The petitioner Counsel Akram Ssheikh said in defence, ‘The leveling objections to the bench is aimed at scandalizing the CJ office and the apex court.’
Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq said the objection of the federation on the SC bench is not up to the mark; however, the objection relating the CJ might hold water.
On one occasion, the CJ said he could be benefited from the case only when his son or any of his relatives could be made judge, asking whether Farooqui would even now object to the formation of judicial bench.
The CJ Chaudhry said the case of this magnitude and import might not come again with so many judges hearing it.
Fifteen constitutional petitions were filed against some clauses of the 18th amendment.
In particular they challenge the formation of the judicial commission under the 18th amendment to be against the basic structure of the constitution and independence of the judiciary.
On the last hearing on May 24, the bench directed the lawyers for the federation to file a concise statement in response to the petitions.
The court had also directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to place proceedings of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms before the court.
18th amendment: SC dismisses Federations objections
The Supreme Court has rejected the objections raised by the Federation regarding the formation of a full bench to hear the cases challenging some clauses of the 18th amendment on Monday.
The same bench would hear the cases. The court would likely to announce the ruling after 1:00pm today, but it deferred it. During the course of hearing, Federations counsel Dr Abdul Basit said that the bench is not complete, contending that Justice Zahid Hussain should also be a part of the bench.He said argued that suspension of Justice Zahid is against the courts verdict. On being asked by the court about name of the person who objected over the bench composition, Basit named Salman Farroqui, Presidents chief of staff. The court asked whether the president is authorized to raise objections. The CJ said that his inclusion in the bench should not be objected, and added that the case is of significant importance and as such the bench composition is justified. Upon this, the court ordered the Federations counsel to submit the objections in writing. On the other hand, Salman Farroqui denied having conversed with Dr Basit on the issue of bench ever.
18th amendment: SC reserves ruling on Federations objections
The Supreme Court has delayed the ruling on the objections raised by the Federation regarding the formation of a full bench to hear the cases challenging some clauses of the 18th amendment on Monday.
The court would likely to announce the ruling after 1:00pm today. During the course of hearing, Federations counsel Dr Abdul Basit said that the bench is not complete, contending that Justice Zahid Hussain should also be a part of the bench.He said argued that suspension of Justice Zahid is against the courts verdict. On being asked by the court about name of the person who objected over the bench composition, Basit named Salman Farroqui, Presidents chief of staff. The court asked whether the president is authorized to raise objections. The CJ said that his inclusion in the bench should not be objected, and added that the case is of significant importance and as such the bench composition is justified. Upon this, the court ordered the Federations counsel to submit the objections in writing. On the other hand, Salman Farroqui denied having conversed with Dr Basit on the issue of bench ever.
SC delays verdict on objections over bench
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday reserved the verdict after completing the hearing of objections against the bench constituted to hear the constitutional petitions against the Eighteenth Amendment, Geo News reported Monday.
It should be mentioned that the SC announced to declare the verdict at 1130am; however, the apex court delayed its verdict after receiving a letter from the President’s Principal Secretary Salman Farooqui and left from the courtroom-1.
Earlier, the SC Registrar received Farooqui’s handed the letter to the judges sitting in the courtroom, where everyone read it one after the other.
In his letter, Salman denied the objections attributed to him regarding the bench formation. On this occasion, the Federation’s counsel Abdul Basit rose up and said he was on mistake in connection with his client; and hence, he should be punished.
Basit pleaded he be heard afresh. The court affirmed he would be given the chance. Now, the court will resume its proceedings again today.
The SC today resumed hearing of petitions challenging certain provisions of the 18th amendment, particularly the formation of a judicial commission for appointment of judges to the superior courts.
The government’s representative Abdul Basit said that the chief justice, who is a part to the Judicial Commission for the judges’ appointment, should not be hearing the 18th amendment case and objected to the formation of the full court bench headed by the CJ.
When the court asked Basit about the objections, he said he talked to President’s Chief of Staff Salman Farooqui, not the President, adding that he (Farooqui) objected to bench formation.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry queried him why the President was contacted instead of the Prime Minister, urging him to put everything in black and white.
The CJ said this is a case of great note; hence, its hearing would be open, which would invite no furrowing of brows.
The federation’s counsel said, ‘To proceed with the case would be tantamount to trample the Constitution.’
The petitioner Counsel Akram Ssheikh said in defence, ‘The leveling objections to the bench is aimed at scandalizing the CJ office and the apex court.’
Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq said the objection of the federation on the SC bench is not up to the mark; however, the objection relating the CJ might hold water.
On one occasion, the CJ said he could be benefited from the case only when his son or any of his relatives could be made judge, asking whether Farooqui would even now object to the formation of judicial bench.
The CJ Chaudhry said the case of this magnitude and import might not come again with so many judges hearing it.
Later on, the court reserved the ruling on the Federation’s objections which would be made public a little later.
Fifteen constitutional petitions were filed against some clauses of the 18th amendment.
In particular they challenge the formation of the judicial commission under the 18th amendment to be against the basic structure of the constitution and independence of the judiciary.
On the last hearing on May 24, the bench directed the lawyers for the federation to file a concise statement in response to the petitions.
The court had also directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to place proceedings of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms before the court.
KSE witnesses lackluster day
KARACHI: The trade activities at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Wednesday remained lackluster as the Index inched up by 13 points to finish the day at 10,222 points.
The share prices see sawed throughout the today’s session and the Index at one stage was seen floating at its intra day low at 10,079 points.
The trade volume was recorded at 130 million shares with TRG Pakistan topping the list of actives at Rs5.36, up by paisas 99.
On the other hand, KSE-30 Index eased two points to peg at 10,296.
Govt will have to hike power tariff: Hafeez
ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Hafeez Sheikh has said that Pakistan will not have to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in case of successful imposition of value-added tax (VAT).
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said IMF’ board meeting would take place on May 14 to sanction next tranche of $1.20 billion for Pakistan.
The government will have to hike power tariff at every cost, he said, adding the timing of hike is still unclear. He also urged the government to create a balance between the expenditure and income.
The Pakistan Steels Mill, he said, is suffering a monthly loss of Rs1 billion.
To a question, the finance adviser said that the objections raised by Sindh about VAT would be addressed soon.
Petition Filed in SC Challenging President’s Immunity
January 24, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
Pakistan News: A reference has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the immunity enjoyed by President Zardari.
Said that the eligibility of the president should be judged under article 62 and 63 of the constitution. Iqbal argued that all the cases stood restored in wake of Supreme Court’s ruling on NRO, and as such President Zardari was not eligible for the post. He noted that NRO was intact during the 2008 elections but for now it has been scrapped, adding that the eligibility for the presidential candidature should be judged under article 62 and 63 of the constitution. He called upon the apex court to review the objections regarding the candidature of the president.
Petition Filed in SC Challenging President’s Immunity was first posted on January 24, 2010 at 3:46 pm.
President’s Lahore Visit Angers Sharifs: Kaira
Pakistan News: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that President Zardari’s Lahore visit has infuriated Mian Sahib, and added that some elements present in the PML-N wanted to take advantage of the prevailing situation.
The Federal Minister said that the public has to suffer loadshedding in summers too, and added that owing to the objections on part of some politicians and media, the Rental Power Projects has been delayed. He, however, added that the Rental Power Projects would be initiated in the country after the approval by Asian Development Bank. Kaira wondered that earlier it was alleged that the President stayed in a bunker and now his activities were also being targeted. He said that judges would be appointed as per law and constitution, and condemned the torching of Benazir Bhutto’s photos and PPP flags in Faisalabad.
President’s Lahore Visit Angers Sharifs: Kaira was first posted on January 19, 2010 at 4:15 pm.
SC dismisses NRO Beneficiaries’ Disqualification Plea
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition to disqualify the NRO beneficiaries on Wednesday.
Advocate Syed Iqbal Kazmi has moved an appeal in the court to disqualify the NRO beneficiaries besides suspending their parliament membership.
The objections put by the Registrar office states that as the petitioner himself was not the affectee thus he was not eligible to move the court in this regard; moreover the said case is already sub judice in different courts.
Iqbal Kazmi said that he would again file the application after removing the objections.
SC dismisses NRO Beneficiaries’ Disqualification Plea was first posted on December 23, 2009 at 2:52 pm.
