Cabinet meeting: ‘Parliament to decide president’s immunity’
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that immunity to the president is constitutional and can only be withdrawn by Parliament.
While briefing the media after the federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, she said that since Parliament has given immunity to President Asif Ali Zardari, it alone is competent to withdraw it.
Responding to a question on the Supreme Court’s direction to write a letter to the Swiss authorities, she said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s legal team is preparing a detailed reply to be submitted in the apex court.
“The prime minister would not take any action which is above the Constitution as he would never like to see his name amongst the violators of the Constitution,” she said
Referring to the Mehran Bank scandal, Awan was of the view that the Supreme Court should explain the definition of ‘corruption’ categorically and that the people involved in it should be exposed.
Cabinet decisions
Earlier, Awan shared the details of the decisions approved by the federal cabinet, which was chaired by Prime Minister Gilani.
Considering climate change as one of the major challenges being faced by society, the cabinet approved the National Climate Change Policy.
Under the UN framework convention on climate change, which Pakistan signed in 1994, it is required to enact policies and strategies for climate change considering the adverse effects of climate extremes such as recurring floods, droughts and severe cyclonic storms.
Prime Minister Gilani directed the Capital Development Authority to make Islamabad an environment friendly city within three months.
The cabinet also approved the establishment of a Regional Flood Information System in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region (HKH-HYCOS). The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) was established by the eight Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan) and is incorporated in Nepal as a regional research and development agency.
The cabinet also reviewed the implementation status of cabinet decisions pertaining to the National Disaster Management, Overseas Pakistanis and Planning & Development Divisions.
The cabinet was informed that 75%, 50% and 88 % decisions pertaining to NDMA, Overseas Pakistanis and Planning Divisions, respectively, have been implemented and the remaining are in the process of implementation.
The prime minister directed NDMA to devise a holistic approach in dealing with disaster management.
The cabinet referred a matter to the ECC for a resolution of capacity payments to Independent Power Producers during Feb-May 2011, owing to gas supply curtailment by SNGPL.
The cabinet also accorded approval for recognising Vietnam as a full market. Vietnam is one of the important members of the ASEAN and an emerging economy in the Asia and Pacific region after China. The Ministry of Commerce is interacting with Vietnam through the forum of the Joint Commission on Trade to explore avenues of economic and trade cooperation.
The cabinet considered and accorded its approval for renaming the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) as the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA). The Maritime Security Agency is a government organization, which is performing a policing role in Exclusive Economic Zone of Pakistan. However, the designation MSA does not readily convey/facilitate recognition of the agency as a Law Enforcement Agency. The name PSMA would establish identity of the agency as a national government organisation, both at the national and international level.
The cabinet also gave approval to enter into negotiations over an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Pakistan and Poland.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intimated that the Polish government is interested in the early finalisation of an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters, which will help to carry forward investigation into the murder of the Polish geologist Mr Piotr Stanezak.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2012.
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As the prime Minister has himself said that he has to decide between six months imprisonment or six months jail or death by hanging for violating the constitution. It is up to the supreme court of Pakistan to put him behind bars for six months. The Prime Minister has, however, given a clear message to everyone that it is the Apex Court of Pakistan which is compelling him to violate the constitution but he will not violate the constitution instead prefer going behind bars for six months. It is unfortunate that Judiciary that is prime custodian of constitution itself forcing prime minister to violate it. One should laud wise move by Prime Minister that is ready to sacrifice his office for the protection and sanctity of constitution.
decisions by cabinet? i thought the decisions come from the PPP headquarters (president house) and read by the PM who does not know what he say .... shame on this rubberstamp parliament...
The coalition govt should reaffirm the 1973 constitution by the house and senate to "explain" the law in simple language to the PCO SC judges. In addition, they should have it passed by all the provincial assemblies to thwart the attempts of paid govt servants to legislate from the bench.