Aitzaz, Asma criticise meddling in price issues
Speaking to media persons at the SC’s Lahore registry on Wednesday, both Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Aitzaz Ahsan and Asma Jahangir criticised the conduct of the country’s superior judiciary.
Aitzaz asserted that while the judiciary was independent, SC judges were not absolute.
Referring to the apex court’s recent order regarding CNG prices, he maintained consumers received no benefits from the move. He added that the decision regarding sugar prices did not benefit the country’s economy either.
Jahangir, meanwhile, asked who would render justice if the judiciary kept its focus on gas and sugar prices. She said the SC was not fulfilling the ‘requisites of justice’ and ‘flatterers’ were being appointed as judges in the country’s superior judiciary. Jahangir demanded a strict policy for the appointment of judges based on merit.
Aitzaz also expressed reservations against suo motu notices saying defendants lost their right to appeal in such cases.
He hailed other SC verdicts, however. Talking about the apex court’s ruling on Asghar Khan’s petition, he said the verdict had “closed the doors for dictatorship in the country.”
He cautioned that while the decision was a good omen, fair investigation in the case was still necessary. Aitzaz added that the court had passed several incorrect verdicts as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2012.
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Objection of Mr. Aitzaz and Mst. Asma Jehangir on SC involment is like they are siding with corrupt machinery operating in the country. I think they are getting share out of such unfair earnings. If they say that unfair rates of CNG , sugar etc should not be taken notice of by SC and they do not understand it injustice by corrupt maffia to the people of Pakistan and this mafia has roots everywhere in the country then their licenses as lawyers should confiscated and should be barrred from practice. They could be so blind i cannot imagine. Benifits of SC action will be when Govt will stand with the court in implimentation of decision with considering loss of support from corrupt mafia in elections. This mafia does not even cast their votes and this same mafia is responsible for failure of country on various fronts. Rather Mr A and MST AJ should try to mould the opinion of of people for the sake of betterment.
I want to tell Mr. Aitazaz and Mst A J that such ruthless mafia people should be dealt with iron hands so that people can get their needs met properly. Khudaa ra Mr. A and MST AJ do not put ur weight if any behind the corrupt, u should remain silent rather instead of blackmailing those who are striving for betterment.
Both these individuals have their personal grudge against the judges. Why don't they criticize the Government which has been looting the poor people of Pakistan by unscrupulously raising the CNG prices. Shameful hypocrisy.
Even the supreme court admits that its not under their ambit to decide on prices. Judiciary needs to dispense justice , if they are deciding the prices of CNG, then they should also decide the prices of electricity, petrol , fertilizer, LPG, wheat, etc. What we fail to acknowledge is that SC’s mendling in one product’s pricing does not seem just. They can tell Ogra to fix the prices in a just and fair manner and listen to objections by different stakeholders if they think there is some injustice. What Supreme Court should look at it is how many times was the Gas Policy revised in last 10 years . What was the plan regarding CNG in Pakistan, where have we reached now and what were changes in between ? They should also look at the prices of fertilizer which gets subsidized gas and sells fertilizer at international prices, electricity prices which are based on oil prices while power generators (KESC, IPPs) use cheap gas for production, cement sector and their use of gas , textile sector and their use of gas and its affects on profitability. One should also ask the question why every industry was motivated to switch to gas as a fuel when gas reserves were so limited.
"Chickens are coming home to roost" Moreover, more and more suo motos more and more the opposition PML-N) is inefficient.
very unfortunate one institution trying to do some sort of good job is being criticize. wow
Lets vote right here...People please cast your vote. Let these senators know the real people comment...
My vote is: Its a big big relief for me!!!
"Referring to the apex court’s recent order regarding CNG prices, he maintained consumers received no benefits from the move" Are both they blind or what?? i cant expect such remarks from these two people? CNG price has declined from rs 84 to 54 WHICH HAS DIRECT IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS' POCKET.
@Syed Imran, you rightly said they have tons of money from clients and from LPG licence. I just want to ask them one simple question: Are you with cartels or with poor masses? Well done SC, keep it up. You are the only hope.
Well it looks like they do not want any comfort for middle and poor people. Their remarks just show how elitish they are.
This is one decision where the mass directly get compensated for illegal moves by goverment . The court simply disallowed it. If the court has runs againt any law then they has right to complain .
@Caramelized_Onion: Ecellent !!!
Well it looks like she does not want any comfort for middle and poor people. Her remarks just show how elitish she is.
This is one decision where the mass directly get compensated for illegal moves by goverment . The court simply disallowed it. If the court has runs againt any law then she has right to complain .
Here we go again ... play a fair game tossing a coin with same sides
When the government fails to do its job and its institutions stop functioning, someone has to intervene. It is correct that it's not SC's job to take suo moto of such incidents, but then who will? If SC does something for the relief of the masses, it should be appreciated. It is only because of the lack of governance that SC has to intervene.
U both are supporting Government thats why you dont like this..... if the government doesnt do anything to control high prices.....
THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN FULLY SUPPORT THE SUPREME COURT TAKING THESE ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I admire both of them for their uprightness but think that both apparently, on this issue, don't know the relief provided to the common man by this epic decision of the honouarble court. we hope it sustains. they should not blindly criticise each and every decision of the court for just to be in media.
This is a very good Omen that good team has been elected. I totally agree with the observations and concerns shown by both leading advocates about present role of the judiciary. There should certainly be a close check on what is going on behind the curtains.
Dear Mr. Aitzaz & Ms. Asma, agreed that it was not CJ's work to intervene in such matters. But if it was not the duty of CJ than definitely it would have been duty of our DEMOCRATIC GOVT??? So can you please explain where is GOVT ??? If our so called DEMOCRATIC GOVT was unable to look into price looting than CJ made a correct decision. Don't understand if CJ's action is in favor of common people than why you guys make noise ??
‘flatterers’ were being appointed as judges in the country’s superior judiciary.... very well said.. the current Judges of the SC are suffering for acute intellectual miopia...by-the -way what is the role of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)???
This is textbook Pakistani elitism. And it's so repetitive, I feel bored just writing about it.
1) We do not provide affordable education to the poor but criticise when the masses end up being radicalised because parents sent their children to affordable madrassas
2) We do not provide affordable justice to the masses but criticise when local jirgas (which are the last resort for justice for many Pakistanis) give harsh (and no doubt barbaric) verdicts
3) We do not criticse corrupt civilian governments who provide no relief to the masses but are the first ones to point fingers like 'all knowing' elders when other institutions step in to add some order to the anarchy.
Well done, keep it up. And while you're at it, send some flowers of thanks to the current parliamentarians for 'strengthening democracy" *sarcasm
They have already been critisizing the judiciary there is nothing new.
Both of these personalities have tons of money paid by their clients and therefore are least concerned on any price hike. Well done Supreme Court Keep taking notice of the malpractices and give verdicts, the general public appreciates your stance.
"Referring to the apex court’s recent order regarding CNG prices, he maintained consumers received no benefits from the move." wht r u crazy...which Pakistan u live in? Everything upto mini bus runs on cng...
True Story!
Yet no criticism of Govt. malpractices which led to the SC intervening. It's clear where her loyalties lie.