SC calls seeking CM's permission to pursue corruption cases unconstitutional
SC suspends Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment rules
Judge Arshad Malik says it is not possible to complete the trial in the given deadline. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday termed authority to seek Chief Minister’s prerogative of permission for launching cases against corruption in Punjab as unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court suspended Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) rules under which chief minister's approval was required for registration of cases against senior officials.
A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, passed the orders while hearing a petition, filed by the ACE Punjab director general. During the proceedings, Advocate Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri, on behalf of the director general, submitted that as per anti-corruption rules, it was mandatory to seek the approval of the chief minister before registration of a case against any senior officials involved in corruption. No case can be registered if the chief minister did not grant permission for the purpose, he added. At this, the bench suspended the relevant sub sections of rules 5, 6 and 10 of the anti-corruption rules, under which the CM approval was required. The bench observed that it was unconstitutional to seek permission from the CM in corruption cases.
The bench also ordered the Lahore High Court to decide two pending petitions regarding anti-corruption inquiries within two weeks.
The CJP also took notice of the poor condition at United Christian Hospital (UCH) and announced to visit it on Saturday (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2018.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday termed authority to seek Chief Minister’s prerogative of permission for launching cases against corruption in Punjab as unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court suspended Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) rules under which chief minister's approval was required for registration of cases against senior officials.
A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, passed the orders while hearing a petition, filed by the ACE Punjab director general. During the proceedings, Advocate Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri, on behalf of the director general, submitted that as per anti-corruption rules, it was mandatory to seek the approval of the chief minister before registration of a case against any senior officials involved in corruption. No case can be registered if the chief minister did not grant permission for the purpose, he added. At this, the bench suspended the relevant sub sections of rules 5, 6 and 10 of the anti-corruption rules, under which the CM approval was required. The bench observed that it was unconstitutional to seek permission from the CM in corruption cases.
The bench also ordered the Lahore High Court to decide two pending petitions regarding anti-corruption inquiries within two weeks.
The CJP also took notice of the poor condition at United Christian Hospital (UCH) and announced to visit it on Saturday (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2018.