Despite opposition, Contempt of Court Act passed in NA
Earlier Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Farooq H. Naek had moved the bill in the assembly, which was debated upon in the house by parliamentarians.
Soon after the bill was passed, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) protested against the passing of the bill, causing a ruckus in the house.
Earlier, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said that his party would not support the proposed contempt of court and dual nationality bills being introduced by the treasury benches in the parliament.
Talking to local reporters, he alleged that the said bills were being ratified to protect a handful of people.
CEC selected unanimously
On the selection of Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim as Chief Election Commissioner, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf congratulated the house and the parliamentary committee adding that he was a neutral personality for the position.
He added that there would now be free and fair elections in the country.
Speaking on the bill, the prime minister said the government had no ill intentions and that their aim was to promote democracy in the country.
Opposition walks out over Nato supply route
Opposition parties in the National Assembly criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party led government for reopening the NATO supplies.
Speaking on a point of order, Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi criticised the sudden decision by the government regarding reopening of NATO supplies.
He said the government had ignored guidelines mentioned in the unanimous resolution of the Parliament in this regard.
He demanded that the agreement, if any, for restoration of NATO supplies should be presented in the National Assembly among any other details.
Later the PML-N staged a walk out from the House to protest the government decision.
Referring to the Opposition, Ashraf said that the Opposition was as important as the ruling government. He also asked the opposition to debate the issue of reopening of Nato supply routes in the house, if they have any apprehensions. The foreign minister, he said, would brief the house on the issue.
Ashraf also dismissed accusations that the government had reopened supply for monetary benefits, but instead were reopened after the US fulfilled the demand of apologising put forward by the National Assembly. He said that they would make public any agreement made with the US.
21st Amendment
The 21st amendment bill was also presented in the assembly, which proposes an increment in pensions of judges’ widows.
COMMENTS (56)
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This bill is a discrimination between public and blue eyed persons of Zardari. I hope the supreme court will strike down this filthy activity of the opportunists sitting in the ruling lobbies.
Both are lying Mr. Munter!
NOTICE BY SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN: Being Pakistani I am constrained to write over here that the contempt law passed by the present parliament, especially PPP rulers is against all norms of justice and equity. This sacred land of Pakistan was got on the name of Islam and no law against the norms of Islam can be made or promulgated. It is very strange that the contempt law has been passed at the time when the corrupt people are being exposed and are facing the music. To my view the law so passed cannot be allowed to remain in the field, otherwise it may led to encourage the corrupt people which is the intention of this ruling party which is pregnant with grudge against judiciary. I do not know whether or not, my views can be brought into the notice of Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan but it is my wish that these may be brought into the notice of August Court, so that this black law may be declared as void, abinitio, unconstitutional and against the fundamental rights also. The people are dying and our rulers are saving themselves. I think they forget that on one day, they have also to die and that day is very near. Rulers appear to have no conscience what to talk of any pricking. Let us we people pray to Almighty Allah to save this nation and the corrupt people must face the music very soon.
@Ad: Sir you are absiolutely right. Corrupt people hare ruined the whole structure of state organs and trying to malign the judiciary also. How long>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>?
@...: It is absolutely true. But you will see the people are deaf and dumb and will again choose those who are cutting their throats. We people must awaken ourselves and condemn such act of corrupt people so as to save our future.
Just like the NRO...deja vu anyone?
@Farrukh khan: Previously we had only Pakistan Military Party. Looking at its success in undermining the democratic process, the authoritative CJ has decided to launch his own Pakistan Judiciary Party. One wonders how many plots he secured so far!
@Logic Europe: @Kkm: It has become fashion to shamelessly pin all the corruption going on in the country on PPP. Despite hostile governments and judiciary for the past 30 years, they failed to prove a single case, and still their touts have the nerves to keep on shouting the rhetoric.
A prime example is the case against Hamid Saeed Kazmi. The only proof against him was that Sawati went to SC with the Quran in his hand. For Husain Haqqani, it was the statement of Mansoor Ijaz. Against Ali Musa Gillani, it is a "Wada Muaf Gawah", even though there is also no circumstantial evidence. On the other hand, Anjum Aqeel, Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, Mumtaz Qadri, Zulfiqar Khosa, and the likes roam free.
The other day, the US Congress brought "Contempt of Congress" charges against the Attorney General. In Pakistan, the Judges and their touts are quick to jump on the bandwagon of "Contempt of Court", but they continue to shamelessly flout the opinion and collective wisdom of the representatives of people, to such an extent that the Registrar Supreme Court and the Son of Chief Justice have also started thinking of themselves above the Parliament. And their touts consider this as their divine right!
@Logic Europe: Mr Logic Europe you are living in UK and you have no idea what this government have done to the people in the past 4 and a half years so I think i cannot argue with you as why should i even discuss some matter with you when you really have no idea about the Sentiments of the Pakistani Public ( People living in Pakistan= No Dual Nationals) . Defending this Government infact is like a Biggest mistake and it is better Mr Europe Logic that stop commenting on the internal situation of Pakistan when your only means of Communication about Pakistan is through Biased Media of Pakistan. I know my country very well and those people who are now in Pakistan think differently. Also Pakistanis in UK are considered to be the most Corrupt Immigrants in Europe and do something for your own Community and then comment about the matters of Pakistan. Since Majority of Pakistani Origin people in UK support Corruption so their best Leader is Mr Zardari as what most of the Pakistanis are doing in UK the same is being done by this government in Pakistan.
I am so happy CJ has become a political party
One of the few wonderful steps by the otherwise corrupt PPP. . Lets hope the next government is mature enough to totally repeal the concept of "contempt". . A court's verdict is to be followed, but there should be absolutely no restriction on criticising it. And most of all, a judge should be open to criticism, simply because he is human.
Those opposing the bill instead of getting red in the face should wait for the next elections which are are just around the corner. If you despise this government vote it out in the next elections. For once trust the wisdom and judgement of ordinary folks. The judiciary also instead of mocking the wisdom, of us the ordinary mortals should wait for the decision of the electorate who are and should be the final arbitrators.
@Logic Europe: Have you lost your mind?the most corrupt govt in the history of Pakistan trying to stop the accountability of billion of the looted money in corruption. The only person to stop this plunder is chief justice. Long live CJ.
awans I have been living in united kingdom for many years no one even knows the name of a chief justice ,judge or genral no suo moto heared of in many years people do resign if allegations are made there are allegation against chief justice in Pakistan and other judges no one resigned . in England a judge would have immediately resigned chief justice has his family being investigated ..he is still chief justice no double standards please,, no one supports corruption but at the same time ,the government cannot be brought down the country is not for judges they have to tread a middle path system in Pakistan has potential to develop ,let it move on, don't stall it aind if zardari is still being hounded for a ten year old case ,then others can't escape either
@Ch Allah Daad: Ch Sahib, I usually do not agree with your comments but these are very mature and fair. Thanks for telling the truth about out of control PCO judges. Regards, Mirza
way to go government. These judges should know their limits as they are so trying to be the saviours of this country which in the past was the military. I'm no supporter of PPP but only the people have the right to select and remove their leaders. Not these unelected brats
I thought Pakistanis finally got rid of "Military Dictatorship" to bring clean "Civilian Democracy" Pakistani style. Look what you wished for. You now have "Civilian Dictatorship". What next? The 180 million silent and useless Pakistanis deserve this.
The scores back to 1:1 Let's see how Supreme Court plays on 11th July
This bill is horrible and a disgrace, but worst still is the presence of two opinions on this issue within the comments section.
They should also pass a Contempt of Parliament Act so judges and hooligan lawyers cannot ridicule parliament in speeches claiming they are more supreme than it. I do not support PPP or any other corrupt party, but democracy must prevail and if Pakistanis are not so inpatient than it will bring fruits. This Contempt of Court Act is a sensible step to prevent a clash of institutions - that is unless someone files another petition against it and its struck down by the dictator.
Clearly there are some paid trolls here otherwise how can you defend this decision. Basically, judiciary used to be in the politician's pockets in the past and now that judges are acting on behalf of people of pakistan the politicians want to curb it.
what is going to stop every corrupt person in pakistan to pay a political party to become a minister and then start doing whatever he wants because he will be exempt. I don't think it will take Malik Riaz more than a day to move the right pieces to become a minister of something, which would allow him to curse out the judiciary,
this rule will make pakistan a democracy for the rich, by the rich, might as well call it feudalism.
It's a warm day because they are so stupid, Chaudry will take care of this.
Nice step by the representatives of the people. To their detractors, since this is an Act, the next government can quickly undo it, if you think Mr. Tsunami or Mr. Petition will win next elections.
"The worst thing in this world, next to anarchy, is government" Henry Ward Beecher
The pseudo 58-2B is buried today.
Next they might pass a bill justifying corruption in all its forms. This also shows that democracy, too, (in the simplistic sense of 'rule of the majority') like everything else, has its limitations. That is why our great Allama (Iqbal) had to say this, in the context of this interpretation of democracy: az maghze do sad knar, fikre insaani nami aayed. In this 'victory' of the self serving politicians of the ruling coalition lie the seeds of their ignominious defeat.
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@ M Ali logic is simple ,you can't have two governments
"Opposition walks out over Nato supply route" I love how they somehow get away with the logic that doing nothing amounts to doing something. Have they ever worked a full week in their whole term?
Just sit on your sofas and keep discussing the current situations in Pakistan.
This is the only thing we can do as a nation
If this is democracy give me dictatorship. A dark day for Pakistan, this is the last straw for me to ever support democracy in Pakistan. ANP, MQM, PML - Q are equally responsible for this shameful act.
@Logic Europe: Do you believe that fair election will be held in the country? I wish but it's not possible, where from top to bottom people are corrupted. we need to realize it.
they all are united to pass various bills to protect their own interest but can you mention a single bill that passed from current assembly in the national interest.
Unfortunately, if you raise question about govt corruption, they saying its attack on Democracy.
If you raise question about Media corruption, they saying its attack on freedom of expression
when we raise question about army, they saying its attack on the state.
and no doubt to some extend the courts are following the same line, but nation need to decide because the consequences of such bills in not in our interest.
Don't worry. This bill will be challenged in SC and struck down as being against the constitution.
@ Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, Sir, there is a saying in our country that " Izaat karo aur Izaat karwao". If elected parliament, elected prime minister and elected president do not have respect, why would they respect others. Respect is a two way traffic. If powers of these judges are not curbed now, they would make all of us laughing stock. PML(N) should shut up and side with its clan just like judges and black coats who have become one to take over parliament's authority.
@Logic Europe: Please change your name to Logic Pakistan as in Europe Presidents are answerable to courts and Europeans are the most civilized people on earth and i worked with Germans and recently their two ministers resign because of small contempt and you are comparing Europe with Pakistan???. You are not representing Europe and in Europe Courts can take notice of everything and Presidents are also not immune to anything and they are Answerable but in Pakistan Our president and elected members now not answerable to anybody and this is a Complete Mockery of the word Democracy. Sometimes i fell ashamed of my associated with Pakistan and today is one of those days.
@M_ALI: I am amused and amazed !!
No one should be above the law...the SC should strike down this new amendment in constitution... corrupt people cannot amend laws to protect themselves... a referendum is only way to determine what the people want!
Shame on ANP and MQM for Supporting this Bill. Look at the situation in your provinces and now Judges cannot take notice and situation will be worse than present. In my view Democracy is transforming into a New Dictatorship and if you are in assembly then it gives you a clean chit for Corruption as Courts cannot take any action against you.
im actually amazed by this logic europes comments
Do we now have "Dictatorship" back in Pakistan? How can the Constitution allow "Contempt of Court" law apply to few privileged and NOT every citizen of Pakistan? I am confused with Pakistan's Parliament even thinking about such a selective law.
I am a supporter of PML(N), but since Gillani was dismissed, I wanted something done to curb power of judges. Only the people of Pakistan should have authority to remove or elect their representatives. If supreme court had not remove Gillani, we the people had crushed whole Gillani family in elections but thanks to power hungry judges Gillani family has emerged as one of the political icons of the country. In future elections, they will be elected almost unopposed and establshment spoons will blame poor people not themselves.
How can the Constitution allow "Contempt of Court" law apply to few privileged and NOT every citizen of Pakistan? I am confused with Pakistan's Parliament even thinking about such a selective law.
I humbly warn my fellow Pakistanis to prepare for total anarchy. The mafia owns you now. No court can save you from these thugs.
Passing Contempt of Court Act 2012 by the parliament is disgrace for the entire nation.
I condemn it with full force.
If we do not respect our own courts, who else will respect the verdicts passed by Pakistani Courts.
It is time for PPP to go home.
Enough is enough. PPP is stretching its legs beyond its limits.
May Al-Mighty Allah save Pakistan from the corrupt politicians. Aameen.
At last one Good Bill which can stop Judiciary to Blackmail Elected Governments
@ad don't vote for people withi dual nationalities A parliamentary majority is the only best way to represent will of the people , there is no other way In the guise of contempt laws whole country has come to a standstill ! ELECTION IS NEAR IN PAKISTAN the new government can change all laws that the current govt may pass
@Logic Europe: I think it's not the well of people. Is this democracy representing majority of the nation? how many people cost the vote for this assembly?
We need to support democracy but it doesn't mean that we allow corrupt people to protect their personal interest. By the way next bill is about dual nationality. They will loot and run to safe heaven.
This is democracy for the few by the few. It is high time the meaning of the word democracy needs to be clearly defined and added to the Constitution so that a mockery of it is not made every now and then.
a master stroke from the maestro ZARDARI ,this is good for democracy as it will give the government space Chief justice should accept the will of people
A dark day for Pakistan, corrupt politicians have now become immune to checks and balances