ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has remarked implementation on law in country is being affected due to NAB amendment law. CJP observed, “We want NAB amendment case is completed soon.” Implementation on law in country is being affected due to amendment in NAB law. Petitioner should bring application against NAB conduct. Court will take action. We want independent investigation officer and prosecutors. Law system deteriorated due to incompetence of investigation officers and prosecutors. We want to improve legal system of country. There were no solid facts in Imran Khan petition. Concrete facts are coming to fore daily that cases are being returned after amendment in NAB law. 386 cases have been returned so far. News items have come in newspapers that PTI is returning to Parliament. If PTI returns to Parliament then will government sit along with them?

CJP while addressing counsel for federal government remarked “Ask from your counsel should we send back NAB amendment law matter to Parliament. A 3-member bench of SC presided over by CJP took up case for hearing. Makhdoom Ali Khan counsel for federal government while continuing his arguments said he cannot talk about anything in court without obtaining directives.

He said may be PTI says in Parliament what amendments were made during their tenure were correct. There is no such restriction in Constitution that amendment could not take effect retrospectively.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked legislation should be enacted with consensus rather than majority vote. National interest should be kept in view in matter of amendment in NAB  law. It is hoped that government and PTI will enact legislation with consensus. 

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked why Imran Khan is not going to Parliament. Why SC is hearing case of such person who is outside Parliament. Imran Khan neither wants to become part of debate of Parliament nor does he accept its decisions. 

Entire system is becoming freezed due to decisions of one man. Can cases which are returned not go to some other forum? Khawaja Haris took plea that PTI came out of Parliament under political decision. It will be premature to say anything now. Court adjourned hearing of case till January 18.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 18 2023

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