Sanaullah’s statement: SC takes suo motu notice

SC took notice of the case after Awan filed an application before the Chief Justice of Pakistan

LAHORE: The Supreme Court took notice of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s earlier controversial statement that Senator Babar Awan was liable to be killed. Former Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan was ordered to record his statement and appear before court on the July 4. Justice Javed Iqbal will hear the case in his chamber tomorrow. The Supreme Court took notice of the case after Awan filed an application before the Chief Justice of Pakistan praying for the formation of a judicial commission to probe Sanaullah’s statement allegedly declaring the applicant liable to be murdered (Wajibul Qatl). Awan expressed in the application that if anything ‘wrong’ was to happen to his life, property or family, Sanaullah should be held responsible. Sanaullah’s behaviour had caused an uproar in the Punjab Assembly and the Senate. The Senate had passed a resolution against him saying the provincial government must remove him from his post over his statements against Awan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2011.