Law and Constitution being targetted, observes CJP Justice Saqib Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said on Thursday that "the law and Constitution are being targeted," and wondered whether this "is a sign of patriotism".

He made the remarks while heading the three-member bench hearing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Hanif Abbasi's petition seeking the disqualification from Parliament of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen over non-declaration of assets and ownership of offshore companies. 

During the hearing, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that the court is displaying extreme patience with regards to what is being said [about it] outside. 

The chief justice said further that it is amazing that so many things are being said yet the court does not react, adding that this practice of the bench should be appreciated.

On Wednesday, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was disqualified by the apex court and is facing corruption cases ordered by it, questioned the bias of the judges. 

While hearing the matter of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the bench dismissed the request of Abbasi's counsel Akram Sheikh to summon Imran's 1997 election nomination papers. 

The court observed that they do not want to delay the case. 

Imran's counsel Babar Awan responded that he has no issues but if the details in the papers are wrong then the returning officer at the time should have dismissed the papers.

Meanwhile, Justice Umar Ata Bandiyal remarked that Abbasi's case has taken a new turn from yearly tax returns to election nomination forms, saying that the present case is being heard under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution. He observed further that the weight of undeniable evidence is on the petitioner. 

Jahangir Tareen's case 

Presenting his arguments before the bench, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, while assisting the court, said Tareen’s counsel has challenged two sections of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Act. 

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He added that the fine imposed on Tareen by SECP in 2008 for insider trading has been submitted in the national kitty and there is no point objecting to the law after 10 years. 

The chief justice also observed that Tareen has already served his punishment according to the law.