MPs' demand behind judges elevation: PM

ISLAMABAD Announcing acceptance of elevation of judges as per the advice of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that it was the sense of the House and the demand of the Opposition that had reflected in Governments decision of taking judiciary along and to avoid clash like situation between the institutions.
Addressing on the floor of the National Assembly after having a detailed meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Premier Gilani said that he had taken the decision keeping in view the overall mood of the House and the demand of the Opposition. He further said that Government was sincere in pursuing the policy of reconciliation and once again reiterated his Governments commitment to implement the Charter of Democracy in true letter and spirit for strengthening democratic institutions and supremacy of the Constitution.
About his meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan, which lasted around three hours, Premier Gilani informed the House that it was participatory, meaningful and consensus-oriented consultative process as required under the Constitution for such purposes.
The Prime Minister said there was consensus in the House that we should take the judiciary along and the Leader of the Opposition was also of the view that there should be no clash with the judiciary. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said he too had announced that the Government had highest regard for the judiciary and would accept its verdicts.
Referring to the points raised by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the Prime Minister said during his meeting with Mian Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition, he had hinted about issuance of notification the next day regarding appointment of judges. He said the objective was to take the Opposition into confidence and not to mislead it. Similarly, he said he telephoned Nawaz Sharif the previous day telling him that the issue would be resolved very soon and within two hours he met the Chief Justice at a dinner in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister dispelled the impression that the Government wanted to push through the points in the Charter of Democracy regarding procedure for appointment of judges with a view to appointing judges of its choice after constitutional amendments. He said he clarified that the procedure for appointment of judges under the CoD would not be applicable to the current vacancies in the apex courts and the existing mechanism would be applicable to it for which the process has already been initiated.
He referred to the letter written to him by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, head of Constitutional Reforms Committee of the Parliament, about the PML(N) doubts about the legislation regarding the appointment of judges.
He said that he had talked to Nawaz Sharif about it and also clarified the point on the floor of the House the previous day that the future mechanism to be devised by the Constitutional Reforms Committee for appointment of judges in superior judiciary would not be applicable on the current vacancies which would be filled under the existing mechanism.
Earlier Leader of Opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan grilled the Government for its follies and said that it was not the PML(N) but it were the rulers who were continuing the policies of a dictator and still shielding them against the trial under Article 6.
He said that the imprints of dictatorial rule were still there and referred to all the four sitting governors who had been appointed by the Gen Musharraf and still they were enjoying the rule.
Without naming Asif Ali Zardari, the Leader of Opposition said that it was not his leader who was facing the corruption reference in Switzerland and the case was withdrawn by the Government. He further said that Opposition wanted the Government to complete its five-year term but the rulers should change the style of governance. He said it would be unfortunate to level allegations against any institution.
Chaudhry Nisar also regretted that the Speaker intervened during his speech a few days back despite the fact that there was a tradition that speeches of Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition were listened uninterrupted.
The Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza said she had great respect for the Leader of the Opposition and she had always endeavoured to take both the treasury and the Opposition along in the running of the House. She invited the Leader of the Opposition on a cup of tea tomorrow as a goodwill gesture.