Conversation over tea: ‘Chief justice wishes Zardari a speedy recovery’

Passes on message during interaction with Awan.

ISLAMABAD:

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is said to have enquired about the health of President Asif Ali Zardari from Babar Awan over a cup of tea, following a full court reference in the honour of Justice Sair Ali, on Friday.

Lawyers at the ceremony, held in the main hall of the Supreme Court, told reporters about the conversation while quoting Awan, a close friend and legal adviser to the president. Sources said that Justice Chaudhry prayed for the quick recovery of President Zardari.

They revealed that Awan filled in the details upon the chief justice’s concern, saying that the president suffered from a clotted artery near his neck. He was initially admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Dubai hospital, and has now been shifted to a private room, Awan added.

According to a source, the chief justice replied that late Baloch national leader Akbar Bugti was diagnosed with the same ailment and was treated in the US, where he recovered after a lengthy treatment.

Awan denies conversation with CJP

Soon after the full court reference, Awan categorically denied the interaction with the chief justice, saying that he has not yet even seen the president’s medical report and has not spoken to any judge regarding his health.

The former law minister said that there are many rumours circulating about him these days.  Awan said that his email was hacked on Thursday and a fake email was sent out to the media stating that the president will not come back and will soon resign. He added that he has written to the FIA director general for tracing the hacker.

CJP defends SC’s constitutional authority

Earlier while addressing the full court reference, the chief justice said that Supreme Court’s fundamental responsibility is to ensure the solidarity, integrity and sovereignty of the state.

He observed that some individuals were criticising the apex court’s constitutional jurisdiction and the power to take notice regarding infringement of fundamental rights.

“Various articles of the constitution like 184, 187, and 190 and so on fully empower the apex court to take cognizance in a variety of situations to enforce fundamental rights and to do substantive justice,” he said.

The chief justice further said that the SC has constitutional authority in resolving the disputes or issues among the federating units.

“Whether it is Parliament, executive or judiciary, the constitution has set limits for every institution,” he said, adding that the armed forces, too, are bound to perform functions as entrusted to them by the constitution.

He said that under article 245 the armed forces have to defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war under the directions of the federal government. “They are also under obligation to act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2011.