ISLAMABAD: Criticism of the judiciary dominated the Senate for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, with ANP Central President Aimal Wali Khan expressing concern over parliament being used to target the judiciary. The debate, which started with Senator Faisal Vawda raising the issue, evolved into a comprehensive discussion on the contempt powers of superior courts.
Aimal Wali Khan pointed out that the session’s agenda had been altered to focus on questioning the judiciary and judges. He accused the parliament of being manipulated and highlighted the inconsistency of those who now advocate for the rule of law and the Constitution, suggesting that past beneficiaries were now portraying themselves as victims. Khan also emphasized the lack of discussion on critical issues like enforced disappearances, which had brought parliament and the judiciary into conflict.
Senator Mohsin Aziz of PTI stressed the importance of protecting the dignity of parliament, while cautioning against using the forum for personal agendas. He cited the disqualification of Mr. Vawda by the Election Commission of Pakistan, which was upheld by the judiciary, and lamented the lack of discourse on the biased treatment of PTI during elections and politically motivated cases against its founder.
MQM-P’s Faisal Sabzwari accused the judiciary of engaging in selective justice under the guise of contempt, lamenting the disrespect shown towards elected representatives. He criticized the judiciary for allowing Gen Musharraf to amend the Constitution and for a former chief justice to rewrite it, asserting the supremacy of parliament over other institutions.
PML-N Senator Talal Chaudhary, who had previously been sentenced for contempt of court, argued that the judiciary’s dignity could be upheld by punishing those who break the Constitution rather than its framers. JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza suggested that the hastily summoned session aimed to target specific judges, particularly in the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, in his inaugural speech, called for adherence to the rule of law and constitutional governance, attributing the country’s current turmoil to power politics.
PPP’s Sherry Rehman, presiding over the session, urged the Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to conclude the issue raised by Mr. Vawda with a report from the Senate Secretariat. The law minister clarified that the issue was not a clash between institutions, lauding Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa while criticizing IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani’s recent remarks. He reiterated the need for judicial restraint and respect for parliamentary proceedings.
Mr. Tarar emphasized that parliament was the supreme institution and urged lawmakers to respect their institution by defending their rights. He endorsed Aimal Wali Khan’s call for introspection and learning from past mistakes, stressing that contempt should not be weaponized by the judiciary.
Sherry Rehman concluded by directing the Senate Secretariat to examine the issue in light of constitutional provisions and house rules, and to prepare a report for the Senate chairman to determine the future course of action.