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CJP Jamali to decide on Panama leaks commission: Justice Nisar
[DAWN] ISLAMABAD: Decision on a request made by the PML-N government for the formation of a judicial commission to probe the Panama Papers leaks will be taken after Chief Justice of Pakistain (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali returns from his visit abroad, acting CJP Saqib Nisar said on Saturday.Speaking on the sidelines of his oath-taking ceremony as the acting CJP, Justice Nisar said he did not have the powers as the acting chief to constitute the judicial commission. The CJP will consult other judges before making any decision regarding the commission requested by the government, said Justice Nisar. He made it clear that every government department or agency would be bound to cooperate and assist the judicial commission if it is constituted. Registrar Supreme Court Arbab Arif told media personnel that although the letter by the government about the commission has already been sent to the chief justice, "the decision will be made after Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali returns". The oath was administered to Justice Nisar by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa in a ceremony at the Supreme Court. Justice Nisar will serve as CJP during Chief Justice Jamali's stay in ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... , where he will participate in the annual ceremony of the Turkish Constitutional Court. He is expected to return on May 1. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... in his state address on Friday announced the writing of a letter to the chief justice to investigate allegations made against the premier's family in wake of the Panama Papers leak. Soon after the announcement, the government issued an SRO under which a three-man commission under Section 3(1) of the Pakistain Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956 is appointed. Constitutional expert S.M. Zafar said that the acting chief justice has the authority to take decision on the government request to constitute a judicial commission to probe the Panama Papers allegations. However, a poor excuse is better than no excuse at all... "the acting Chief Justice Saqib Nisar is not willing to take any decision on the government’s request," sources said. Many, including former advocate general of Punjab, Khawaja Haris, were of the opinion that any decision by the acting chief justice will not be prudent because the opposition is demanding for a CJP-led commission to investigate the Panama leaks scandal. "In all probability, the acting chief justice will prefer to stay away from the controversy," he said. Posted by: Fred 2016-04-24 |
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