Top court has a challenging task, says legal expert

S M Zafar warns of a bigger calamity if the court fails to uncover graft

ISLAMABAD: Renowned lawyer S M Zafar on Wednesday warned that if the Supreme Court failed to detect corruption in the Panama Leaks, it would lead to a bigger calamity than what has just been averted.

“If Supreme Court fails to do so as some apprehend, keeping the past record of commissions (judicial or otherwise), it will be worse than the calamity that would have occurred if the threat and advancement for lockdown had not been withdrawn,” the former senator said.

He said the apex court had done well in breaking the logjam and defusing the situation by taking upon itself to frame ToRs if the parties failed to reach an agreement within two days.



“So far so good but the real story begins now,” he said adding that corruption which the Panama Papers had exposed has to be found.

According to him, the Supreme Court has undertaken a challenging task. “It is important that all political parties concerned, media and opinion makers facilitate the apex court in reaching the final judgment and avoid possible preliminary objections,” Zafar said.

Time is of essence for achieving any success. If the Supreme Court also fails to detect the corruption and the corrupt, then the present status quo will continue, adding misfortune and misery to the people of Pakistan, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2016.