Lahore High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking directions to restrain the chief of army staff from interfering in politics and playing the ‘arbitrator’ between quarrelling political parties.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah ruled that the Supreme Court was hearing a similar petition and directed the petitioners to approach the Supreme Court.
Wukala Mahaz for the Protection of the Constitution – a lawyers’ association – filed the petition through Advocate Dr Abdul Basit.
The petitioner’s counsel said in its July 31, 2009, order the Supreme Court had ruled that the army had no role in politics under the Constitution. He said to act as arbitrator between the government and protesting parties was an unconstitutional step for the army chief.
The petitioner requested the court to restrain the COAS from playing the role of arbitrator and direct him to comply with the July 31 judgment. It also requested that the federal government be directed to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
The petitioner said the scope and interpretation of Article-245 of the Constitution needed to be reviewed to see whether the armed forces, once called in to secure civilian spaces, could direct disarmament of civilian forces.
He referred to a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations a few days ago. He said the statements issued by ISPR violated Article-245 of the Constitution.
He said these announcements created the impression that an army take over was round the corner, leading to uncertainty in the country.
A deputy attorney general said the Supreme Court was already hearing a similar matter in the Supreme Court. The court dismissed the petition.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2014.
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