The urgency was palpable.
A contentious bill, effectively providing immunity to high-office holders to disobey court orders and a free hand for the public to criticise the judiciary, was bulldozed through the National Assembly on Monday night by the government.
The timing of the legislation, passed after a marathon session, is key. The bill will ostensibly provide cover for Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf from possible disqualification by the Supreme Court, which had sought his compliance on an earlier verdict to write to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. The premier’s reply was sought by July 12 (Thursday). This case had led to the disqualification and unseating of Yousaf Raza Gilani as premier on contempt of court charges last month.
With the new premier also expected to refuse to write the letter, like his predecessor, the government feared similar consequences for the new chief executive.
Clause 3 (I) of the bill reads: “exercise of powers and performance of functions by a public office holder of his respective office under clause (1) of Article 248 of the Constitution for any act done or purported to be done in exercise of those powers and performance of those functions,” shall not amount to commission of contempt of court. The office holders referred to are: the prime minister, federal ministers, provincial chief ministers, provincial ministers, provincial governors, and the president.
Aside from the protection, it also allows for general criticism “in good faith” of the judiciary without resulting in contempt of court charges. “Fair comments about the general working of courts made in good faith in the public interest and in temperate language; fair comments on the merits of a decision of a court made, after the pendency of the proceedings in a case, in good faith and in temperate language,” shall not amount to contempt of court.
Section 13 of the bill said that Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 (v of 2003) stood repealed. It further said: “for removal of doubt, it is hereby declared that the Contempt of Court Act 1976 (LXIV of 1976), Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 (IV of 2003) and Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2004 (I of 2004) stand repealed.”
The bill still has to be passed by the Senate, and then signed by the president – which will probably be done before July 12, when the court takes up the Swiss letter matter.
Opposition outraged
The 13-clause bill was passed in a marathon session of the National Assembly amid protest by the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which called it a “black day for democracy.”
The opposition raised objections against the government’s decision to not to send the bill to the relevant standing committee for deliberations and they kept on demanding time as per rules. But time was of the essence for the government.
“You are in hurry but don’t make parliament a shield against your misdeeds,” said Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi from the PML-N. “The PPP respects the judiciary despite the fact we are victims of justice,” said Law Minister Farooq H. Naek, defending the bill and intent of the government. He said there are a number of contempt of court cases in the courts but there was confusion about the relevant law. This bill will bring an end to all misunderstandings, he added. “It is a bill to create equality between the judges and parliamentarians,” said Naek, while laying the bill before the house.
While felicitating the house over the passage of the bill, the prime minister said the law will provide full opportunity for a fair trial and a transparent procedure for right to appeal.
However, Khawaja Saad Rafiq from the PML-N said that the only purpose of the bill is to tie the hands of the superior judiciary since it gives licence to abuse authority. “Through such legislation, you (government) are inviting undemocratic forces,” he added.
Meanwhile, the government also introduced the 21st Constitutional Amendment bill aimed at increasing the pension of widows of judges of Supreme Court and high courts from 50% to 75%.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (46)
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It is indeed quite surprising to read a lawyer like Asma Jehangir urging the Supreme Court to show restraint in dealing with contempt cases. Since the apex court disqualified Yousaf Raza Gilani, quite a few columnists have termed it as a 'judicial coup'. In effect what they are trying to say is; Supreme Court you cannot sentence or disqualify the Prime Minister for disobeying a court order. The court has shown a lot of restraint by not taking notice of a number of accusations being hurled at it. But when a well known lawyer and a human rights activist to boot starts asking the court to show restraint; there has to be something seriously wrong. Supporting an elected leader's stance to disobey court orders is utter rubbish. A leader is supposed to lead by example; which sadly is not the case, and to top it supporting his wrong doings; that's like the icing on the cake. Inviting people to disobey court orders is in itself hypocrisy.
@Truth bites: Don't you know it has already happened once by way of NRO, though SC had to come to rescue - (temporarily ?????).
If our masses keep on clinching to "munafqat", God forbit, this group may again come to power and may do what you are afraid of.
It appears it will be challenged in the Supreme Court and reviewed by the superior judiciary as some of its clauses are not in line with some Articles of the Constitution.
What do expect from the thieves, and incidentally this includes gen Kiani, yesterday Asif Azde in his column requested the chief of army staff to intervene but he did not do so. The nation is rightly wondering what is going on in Rawalpindi.
welldone Parliament.
Ex PM says the Constitution is the creation of Parliament. Well, having listened to that jiaola-style claim, will he like to answer: What is the preamble of Constitution? Who created that? NO ONE IS IMMUNINE; NO ONE IS ABOVE LAW...
@ Questioner
No you don't wait for 5 years. You impeach him.
Pakistani rulers are above the law, all of their acts confirms this sad and shameful fact.First time suprem court was bringing them to justice and making them answerable ,so this way they are trying to escape.but credit goes to s.court and to media becouse present rulers and the govt. in waiting are fully exposed. Only few Qustion why at this time why not 6 month earlier.Why they did not try to save XPM Gillani. Did we pakistanies learn any thing out of this demo drama ??????
Shame for this assembly of corrupt people. Nobody or institution should be above law. Constitution is more supreme that parliment. These MNAs are changing the constitution for their own satisfaction. It was a black day for National Assembly.
Lets not forget that the next parliament can easily undo this legislation. This is PPPs last breath and they want to plunder as much as they can before the next election. They are well aware that they have no respectable leader to lead the next election and they will wake up to a new barren reality.
Revenge continue by ”Democracy"
As it's legal for PPP to do corruption.....!!
In their own time PML(N) promulgated this law, now they are protesting against it. It clearly shows that they have no principles, no agenda, only lust for power
Dear Pakistanis !! the politicians whoever supported & supporting this bill are the people who are not faithful to the country and are corrupt to max extent. They are here JUST to eat maximum out of this country, if you are wise enough. please don't vote them in next elections.... warna Allah aap sab ko poochae.
Another success of Democracy. Ruling elite is not bound to follow court orders now. Well done PPP and allies. Well done Jahmhoriat.
@Jibran If the government is for the people, Why do we have load shedding, corruption, unemployment and poor people. Is this what people of Pakistan want? This bill is a shameful act carried out by so called champions of "Democracy" If you think passing of this bill is what people want.....then the government should hold a referendum. That's what a real Democracy is.
Corrupt Nation, Corrupt Rulers
Thus works this Democracy. Time to rejoice for ministers of all sorts and cheers to misunderstood democracy. Do evil deeds and there is a Democratic cover to blanket them. What an immuno-revengeful democracy! Suo moto power is being nipped in the bud.Constitution is supreme but Parliament is even more supreme. Now is the time to do completely away with the courts because if the representatives are being given judicial immunity why not it should be for the represented.
thus works this Democracy. time to rejoice for ministers of all sorts and cheers to misunderstood democracy. do evil deeds and there is a Democratic cover to blanket them. what an immuno-revengeful democracy! suo moto power is being nipped in the bud.constitution is supreme but Parliament is even more supreme. now is the time to do away with the courts because if the representatives are being given judicial immunity why not it should be for the represented
In my opinion to end this practice of passing laws giving license for corruption, Supreme Court should immediately disolve this rubber stamp parliament in the best interest of the country and ask the Present to form a care taker government to hold immediate election.
Primarily shame on PML-N for not resigning from their seats. What is the limit of compromise? What we expect from the PPP .... ten times more than this shameful act.
@Rebel: "Shame on us that we let this happen...." Despite all this people are electing these shameless people again and again, we deserve this treatment.
A very sad news indeed. This puts the elected ministers and their bosses above the judiciary.
Nobody's above the law.
I mean if we are so incapable of coming up with appropriate laws, why don't our so called ministers (who travel abroad very often) have a look at the constitution of other democratic countries and copy it.
Come on for God sake, this will pave the way for undemocratic forces to get back. It is not going to help us in any way to rescue the country which is already in a dismal state.
Everyone should have a right to criticize courts. They are not God.
There is a difference between following court orders and liking or disliking them.
Such black laws are invitation for the third force to intervene. If a neutral (preferably technocrat) set up is not in place within thirty days, chances are that the Army would have to intervene to clean the mess created by the present government. Is enough not enough?
All those in praise of the law. Can you answer my question?
" A premier orders killings of his country's citizens (its possible, see Syria or better see Balochistan) and supreme court rules against it. The premier will be free to flout the decision how exactly are we supposed to bring him to court? Don't tell me we wait for 5 yrs to vote his parliament out"
need of the day, CJ of SC should stay within his limits . . .!!!!
Welcome citizens, to anarchy, Pakistani version. What is democracy without checks and balances? Now that there are none, we shall soon find out.
Very few amongst the public supports the contempt bill. And if very few support it , its very weird that the representation of the population (Parliament), decided to pass this bill.
Something is going wrong with democracy in this country.
Shame on us that we let this happen........):
This is a clear opportunity for the media to inform the awam on the pros and cons of the issue and let the awam decide through a referendum.
"providing immunity to high-office holders to disobey court orders" That isn't what it says. It just puts conditions on what can be considered contempt. Which is a good move considering to run a country you're going to end up conflicting with different institutions if you try change aspects of them due to the fact that if the people in the institution in question have people trying to take away a luxury they enjoy and abuse, they're going to put up a fight. For the court, they could block all progress and make people hesitant to try in the future by charging them with contempt and the threat of losing their job. It just knocks a few inches off the legs of their high horse. Not prevent justice.
We are heading toward the destruction of our beloved country, only the corrupt people will benefit from this contentious law..........please wake-up before it's too late.
Cant believe this.
Make corruption also legal and get it approved from all corrupts.
Darkest day for SC for what they where sent to NA. to solve peoples problem, r protect BOSSES.??
So a stalemate between judiciary and the parliament is now imminent. The best way out of the row is to announce early elections. Otherwise this will degenerate into a farce. Again, for a black 'Act' as this, it won't take courts long to strike it down.
Zardari has forgotten than he will have to leave the Presidents office one day.
Today is The day When I can safely say that I am ashamed of the Country like Pakistan and please tell me they way how can i leave this country for good as i dont want to live in this Pak land where Your leaders have immunity while poor have to suffer. Now Elected Members can do any corruption and no Court can ask them. It is against modern Democracy and what about Islamic values where a Leader is answerable????. Hazrat Muhammad used to say that if my Daughter is responsible for Theft then cut her hand and here what type of Islam are we imitating in Islamic republic of Pakistan which is a mockery for Islam and infact for modern Civilization as a whole.
@ET: Correction needed on 2nd last line. It should be "aimed" instead of "amid"
Congratulations to the representatives of the people of Pakistan. The contempt of people's verdict should no longer be tolerated. As always it is the moderate forces in the Parliament that can foresee the dangers of the path Judiciary is treading. The extremist elements can't think beyond next general elections for obvious reasons.
Only a noose will set the nation free from all these charlatans. As Lenin said about the aristocracy, "they are all SOBs".
Contempt Court Law was turning into 58-2B Supreme Court Style. Better to nip the evil in the bud!
For 70 years, SC judges and right wing politicians and their touts have been in the Contempt of Parliament and the Opinion of the People of Pakistan. There should be a payback time.