Against PPA: IHC accepts Dasti’s petition for hearing

Advocate Saeed Khurshid argues the act is in violation of fundamental rights given by the Constitution.

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court accepted Jamshed Dasti’s petition against the Protection of Pakistan Act for hearing.

Presenting his case before Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi, Advocate Saeed Khurshid argued that the act was in violation of fundamental rights given by the Constitution.

Citing Article 8 of the Constitution of Pakistan, he said it [Article 8] declares every law void if it is inconsistent with or in derogation of fundamental right whereas the subordinate legislation has overriding effects (Section 24) by giving protection to all those clause which directly violate Articles 4, 8, 9, 10, 10-A. 12, 14 & 24 (1) of the Constitution.

The court accepted the petition for hearing and issues notices respondents including Secretary Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights and Secretary Interior.

 The Protection of Pakistan Act was passed last week after the president signed the controversial law which has been criticised by many political parties.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2014.