Firdous Ashiq Awan says Cabinet informed of reference filed in SJC
Awan questioned how a reference filed to the SJC was an attack on the judiciary when the reviewer too was the judiciary
June 03, 2019
ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister's special assistant on information, Firdous Ashiq Awan, said Monday the Cabinet had been briefed of the facts pertaining to a reference filed in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and that Prime Minister Imran Khan had reiterated no one was above the law.
Addressing a press conference following a meeting of the Cabinet here in the federal capital, Awan questioned how the matter was being viewed as an attack on the judiciary when it was the judiciary itself that was reviewing the complaint.
The special assistant explained that the Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) had lodged the complaints with regard to the relevant judges.
"It's a sensitive matter, which is why it was sent to the MoJ [Ministry of Law and Justice]," which, itself "sent reference ahead after cross-checking it", she said.
Awan noted that the government will accept whatever decision the SJC makes. Explaining the issue, she said: "The Land Registry UK had verified the complaint."
Khan, she added, wishes to work with stakeholders to make the judiciary free and independent.
The complaint received by the ARU was sent to the MoJ after verification and that lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar, the special assistant to Khan on accountability, had received it.
"The SJC has to rule on the reference. The SJC does not function under the government, it is an impartial forum. It is a forum that rules on complaints pertaining to the judiciary," Awan said.
"We found a way by using [the former prime minister Zulfikar Ali] Bhutto-provided Constitution," she added. "Every citizen of Pakistan is bound by the Constitution."
'NAB calls for you'
On the other hand, the special assistant also criticised the Opposition politicians, saying they were shedding crocodile tears.
"The restlessness of the Opposition is beyond me," she added, making a jibe at Shehbaz Sharif, the leader of the Opposition and president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who is currently out of the country.
"The Cabinet condemned those who talk about resumption of judiciary from London, which is a location with a healthy environment," the PM's special assistant underscored. "There's no sacred cow in any institution."
"It's Eid-ul-Fitr and, at this time, expatriates return home," Awan said.
"To the Opposition leader, I say: 'Aaja tenu akhiyaan udeek diyan, NAB wajan marda [Come, the eyes searches for you, the NAB calls for you]!
"To the 'missing' Opposition leader, I say: 'Come home'. The Opposition leader should celebrate Eid with the same people they claims to empathise with."
'Imran Khan is the saviour'
She also underscored that there was a discussion on the Lawyers' Movement in the Cabinet as well. "Governments do not desire anarchy, the 'black coat' is the protector of the Constitution and the law," she said.
"What kind of protector of the Constitution and the law would one be if they stand in solidarity with the violation of the Constitution?
"The Bar Councils should not politicise this issue," Awan commented. "The law minister will speak to the leaders of the Bar Councils."
Awan mentioned that PM Khan's vision will be taken forward and that only a pure leadership with no dirty or questionable past can reform institutions.
"The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power with the mandate of accountability for all. Our government came into power with the chant of not two but one Pakistan.
"We are here to help the people get rid of the rotten system in place for 70 years. Imran Khan is the saviour, he does not compromise for the sake of political gains," she stated.
