Pakistan

Constitution tossed to the floor of Supreme Court

During the proceedings, one of the petitioners, Shahid Orakzai tossed a copy of the constitution to the floor.

Express July 20, 2010

Hearing of the petitions challenging various clauses of the 18th Amendment is underway in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

During the proceedings, one of the petitioners, Shahid Orakzai gave arguments against the establishment of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Orakzai said Islamabad will have to be made a province before the establishment of IHC. He also criticised the criterion described in the 18th amendment for the appointment of judges, saying that the judicial commission has actually paralysed the Supreme Judicial Council.

During his arguments Orakzai said he would prefer the Holy Quran over Pakistan's constitution if he was asked to make a choice between them. Orakzai then proceeded to toss a copy of the constitution to the ground. At this Justice Saqib Nisar said he had insulted the whole court by throwing the constitution on the floor.

Later the Chief Justice asked Orakzai to apologise or the court would issue him a contempt of court notice. Orakzai complied with the request and said he did not do this deliberately. After Orakzai, Aslam Khaki advocate started his arguments.

COMMENTS (9)

Romm | 13 years ago | Reply we are heading towards Mad Theocracy. Contempt of Court is punishable whereas, desecrating Constitution of Pakistan is acceptable within the premisis of Supreme Court. Its Shame!

Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply Holy Quraan is unique in nature. It is great and respectable. Constitution is also respectable because remarkable part of it has been taken from holy Quraan. Constitution can be amended but not Quraan. Constitution can be changed and removed totally but Quraan would remained stand till the day of judgement.

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Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply Arkzai behave is not acceptable, should respect the court and the constitution, should apologize forthwith.

Juko | 13 years ago | Reply @Asif Khan totally agree with you. we need to get out of this rut and believe in humanity first and foremost before everything!

Asif Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Well everyone is right from their point of view and nothing is right or wrong. Every one view or solution has its logic and strong sides. The issue is implementation and follow either it is islamic or non islamic. In my view the solution for us is only to change this system and people. we have seen all in last 60 years nothing changed with this system in fact become worst.

Juko | 13 years ago | Reply @Khawaja Faraz Ahmed not looking for a debate and sorry but it seems to me that religion is another label these days when we cannot find any other explanation. and most of all, even if you want religion to be the foundation, then islam has identified "ijma" as a situation when you update it according to times...now in all sincerity, given the track record of your allamas, where they grant fatwas in lieu of money, can you really trust them???atleast i cant...what someone believes in is their and their god's business, not government's.

nasim ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply if we were law abiding citizens and had any respect for law and the country,this man should have been given the same punishment as for throwing Holy Quran on the ground.For me besides Qoran Constitution of {akistan is equally sacred.

Juko | 13 years ago | Reply why havent we learnt any lessons from history? Religion and government should be separate from each other. The myth created about one religion (or race) being superior to another was very much behind the Third Reich and now Taliban!

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply That's it! That's it! A brazen manifestation of our mindset. We Pakistanis always consider ourselves above the law. Shame and disgrace on the petitioner. He should consider himself lucky for getting off lightly.

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