K-P vows to resist constitutional tweaks

Law minister says attempts being made to create parallel judiciary

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Law Minister Aftab Alam expressed concerns that the constitutional amendments could undermine the supremacy of the Supreme Court and that a parallel judiciary was being created to please a specific individual. The minister issued this statement during his speech in Thursday's session of the provincial assembly.

He questioned why the amendments were being introduced right before that individual's retirement on October 25, and called it a conspiracy. He vowed to oppose the amendments with all their might.

Meanwhile, PPP's Ahmed Jundi stated if anyone has objections to the constitutional amendments proposed by Bilawal Bhutto, they should present them. He noted that, historically, judges have never opposed dictators, from Ayub Khan to Musharraf. "The constitutional court is being established to ensure that no judge can ever support dictators again."

Another matter that came up for discussion was the failure to abide by production by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly speaker's orders to produce Special Assistant Malik Liaqat and MPA Anwar Zeb, who were arrested during PTI's protest in Islamabad.

Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi stated that further cases are being prepared against Malik Liaqat and Anwar Zeb to prevent their release. She urged the speaker to take legal action if the production orders are not implemented.

During a point of order in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session, Meena Khan Afridi stated that 1,500 members were arrested during the protest in Islamabad, including Special Assistant Malik Liaqat and Member of the Assembly Anwar Zeb. "Despite production orders issued by the speaker, the Islamabad police have not brought them to the assembly, which requires strict action."