ISLAMABAD: Eminent lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan expressed serious concerns about the “non- implementation” of judicial orders and suggested the possibility of initiating a movement aimed at the “complete restoration of the Constitution” in the country.
Ahsan while addressing a joint press conference along with Sardar Latif Khosa, said: “The situation is very bad. Judicial orders are not being obeyed.”
He further added that they have decided to “devise a future strategy after consultation with the lawyer leaders”.
Ahsan stated that all those bills that have not been assented or signed are not “acts of parliament”, while responding to a question
Last month, President Arif Alvi created a significant controversy in the country by denying his signature on the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
He alleged that his staff had “undermined” his orders. Initially, reports indicated that the president had indeed signed the bills approved by the National Assembly and the Senate, resulting in both bills becoming law.
However, following the president’s surprising disclosures, the current legal status of the amendments is now uncertain.
“Military courts are not authorised to try civilians,” he reiterated.
Ahsan underscored the need to provide a level-playing field to all political parties.
He stressed that every party should have equal rights to participate in the upcoming general elections.
He also emphasized that the election must occur within 90 days of dissolving an assembly.
CJP must decide important cases ahead of retirement
Ahsan urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to decide “critical cases” before his retirement on the 17th of this month. He stressed the importance of CJP Bandial not leaving major cases unresolved, believing that the CJP could play a pivotal role in guiding the country out of the current situation.
Ahsan expressed hope that CJP Bandial would not leave behind uncertainty in the country.
Ahsan also criticized Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Atta Tarar and Marriyum Aurangzeb for their allegations against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Chairman Imran Khan, calling for an end to the practice of making accusations in the country. He accused Atta Tarar and Marriyum Aurangzeb of targeting the PTI chairman.
Undeclared martial lawm
Latif Khosa announced the launch of the “lawyer movement” and revealed plans for a campaign advocating for elections within 90 days and against rising inflation. The movement will commence in Peshawar.
Khosa described the current situation as worse than a dictatorship, resembling an undeclared martial law. Once the country reinstates the rule of law, he believed that Pakistan will no longer require the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Regarding their upcoming drive, Khosa mentioned that they were in communication with all political parties.