In belated response: PTI govt throws weight behind Dr Farogh Naseem

SAPM says premier supports law minister in all matters within law, Constitution

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday said it stands with Minister for Law Dr Farogh Naseem “in all matters initiated within law and the Constitution” after he allegedly expressed disappointment over the government’s response to the ongoing campaign launched by superior bars for his removal.

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) – the country’s highest elected body of lawyers – on February 22 accused Naseem of “masterminding a conspiracy against the judiciary” and urged the federal government to ‘expel’ him from the federal cabinet.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the PBC referred to a TV interview of former attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) Anwar Mansoor Khan, who had to tender his resignation after he accused some Supreme Court judges during hearing of Justice Qazi Faez Isa case.

While defending the federal government in response to the court’s queries, the AGP had implied that some members of the bench hearing Justice Isa case were “privy” to the petition filed by the judge.

The government had distanced itself from Anwar’s comments and submitted a statement to the SC, claiming that the remarks were “totally uncalled for” and passed “without the instructions and knowledge of the federal government”.

The statement, filed by Farogh Naseem and PM’s aide Shahzad Akbar, read that the federal government and the law ministry held the superior judiciary in the “highest respect and esteem”.

However, former AGP Anwar told a TV channel that both the law minister and the PM’s aide were aware of what he was going to say in the court about the judges and had also appreciated his statement when the proceedings concluded that day.

Referring to the AGP’s interview, PBC statement had said “divulging of certain facts by him [Anwar] while speaking to the media afterwards” implied that his statement about judges was in line with stance of the government and “the person concerned [Naseem] was fully aware of it.”

The PBC’s statement further called for a thorough probe from a high-level judicial commission into Naseem’s “dubious role” in filling reference against Justice Isa.

“Needless to add that his [Naseem] past amply reflects that instead of believing in the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy and civil authority through the democratic process, he always takes pride in supporting and serving the undemocratic forces in power,” added the PBC statement.

During the federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, Naseem got emotional and complained that the government gave him a cold shoulder and nobody came forward for his support when the bar association demanded his resignation.

According to an insider, Naseem even claimed that the real target of the bars representatives is Prime Minister Imran Khan and not him.  “The prime minister urged him to be courageous and said the government is standing with him,” the source said.

Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, holding a press briefing after the cabinet meeting, referred to the “ongoing discussion” on media about the law minister in connection with Justice Qazi Faez Isa case.

“The PM has assured Naseem of the government’s full support and we are standing with him in all matters, which have been initiated in the preview of law and Constitution.

“Even the premier lauded his efforts. The PM also expected that institution will be strong and courts will perform their functions independently and people will get benefit,” she said in a carefully worded statement.

It is learnt that one section in the PTI government has been supporting lawyers against the law minister.

“We have received some indications that the government is considering replacing law minister over his failure in maintaining cordial relations with bars,” said a representative of the superior bar.

“We have already conveyed to the government that as long as the law minister stays, the government should not expect cooperation from us on legal issues,” he added.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed AGP Khalid Javed Khan on Tuesday held meeting with PM Imran. During the meeting, he took up the matter related to the autonomy for the AGP office and its separation from the Ministry for Law.

The PM asked his Principal Secretary Azam Khan to initiate the process in this regard. It was resolved that matters related to revenue, etc, will be taken up in the courts on top priority.