ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday expressed Party’s commitment with regard to restoration of deposed judges, saying “it (restoration) is decided as only modalities are being worked out by the judges restoration committee.”
PPP Co-Chairman made these remarks in an exclusive interview with private television channel (ARY One World).
He said, PPP was optimistic about restoration of the deposed judges by May 12 as it was already decided that judges would be restored and only modalities are being worked out.
Zardari said, PPP has political will to reinstate the deposed judges, saying “I am with the PML-N Quaid, Mian Nawaz Sharif in his each and every political will.”
A committee of experts has been constituted to remove legal impediments as the judges resolution would be drafted, defended and implemented. If flaws are left, the opponent forces will take benefit out of the situation.
To a question about commitment of Law Minister Farooq H. Naek to restoration of the judges, PPP Co-Chairman said the party would fully support him in achieving the task.
It is a mater of principle that both the parties must fulfil the promises made to people of the country, he added.
The committee has representation from both the political parties, he said adding that political impasse is not on restoration of the judges but, only on modalities of restoration. Modalities would be formed in accordance with the constitution.
He said, tabling of the draft was not an easy task as the proposed suggestions have to be given a draft shape, which later has to be defended and implemented.
“I am not a lawyer. They (committee members) have to articulate the language, the law and then bring it into the parliament as we do not want to be laughing stock.”
The previous government was not a true representative of the masses as they were just collection of opportunists put together and their way of working was different he added.
To a question, he said Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan represents Supreme Court Bar Association and he represents the PPP only on the political front.
On not fulfilling 30 days deadline to reinstate the deposed judges, he said PPP wants restoration of judges so there was need to remove some legal complications on this way.
The Co-Chairman said, the government inherited various problems from the previous regime, and there is need to resolve them by creating an atmosphere of reconciliation in the country.
He vowed to pull out the country of inherited crisis including electricity, flour and price hike to mitigate sufferings of the commonman. People want quick resolution of their problems, he added.
Zardari said, PPP would welcome positive criticism from the opposition parties to improve the functioning of the coalition government. Criticism for the sake of improving the situation would be welcomed.
About freedom of media, he said even before forming of the PPP led coalition government, banned TV channel programmes started airing again.
He said, Peoples Party is fighting for the people, adding it lost five Bhuttos and more sacrifices are being given for improving the fate of the people.
To a question, Asif Ali Zardari said PPP does not want to indulge in discussion of PCO or non-PCO judges as “PPP wants resolution of the issue”. Citing the example of test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s case, he said phone calls were coming demanding that Shoaib should be allowed to go to India for playing cricket, so he directed to resolve the issue.
Zardari said, he was still on bail in fake cases including drug case adding
several journalists investigated it but found nothing concrete against him.
According to Charter of Democracy’s (CoD) spirit, all the judges are PCO judges and some allies are also questioning it, zardari said. Maulana Fazalur Rehman is saying that all PCO judges should be fired, but the Prime Minister has no authority to do so as there is a set procedure to fire the judges, he added.
Fazalur Rehman is adamant that CoD should be honoured, he said adding alliance with JUI-F will continue as PPP wants to revive the economy to bring prosperity in the country.
He said, PPP wants to promote economic friendship with neighbouring countries including India and stressed the need of establishing SAARC economic forum for welfare and progress of the south asian region.
“Advantage can be taken from Indian and Chinese markets for a generating 18 million jobs for our youth”, he added.
To a question, Zardari said, he spent eleven years in jail, paying price for the people and for the cause of democracy.
He said, judges restoration was on PPP agenda, however he admitted that it was not election slogan of his party as its slogan was “Roti, Kapra aur Makan.
He cited an example of PPP candidate Dr Israr who faced defeat in the general elections because the people voted for his opponent for restoration of the judges.
He said, menace of poverty was being faced across the world even in China and USA.
Zardari said, the coalition government was committed to improve living standard of the common citizens by providing them more opportunities of earning respectable livelihood.
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said his party wants to see atmosphere of national reconciliation promoting in the country.
Commenting on 17th amendment, he said all and sundry are against the 17th amendment, and if the coalition undo the amendment then women seats, joint electorate and minority seats would be affected.
Coalition government wants to keep intact good things in the 17th amendment, and remove other clauses but, it lacks the required strength, he further said.
Zardari said, spirit behind the constitutional package will be to improve the situation in judiciary and ensure quick and cheap dispensation of justice to the masses.
“It is being said that poor do not get justice, and even he (Zardari) himself was in power but did not get justice”.
Backlog of supreme court cases was in hundreds and thousands, and if the number of judges is enhanced then “we do not have issue with that,” he added.
Under the constitutional package, in future the judges would be appointed in accordance with a package. Parliament will be involved in appointing judges of the superior courts, Zardari added.
He said, his personal political thinking is that there should be a proper procedure for appointment of judges.
There must be scrutiny of the appointment of Chief Justice of Pakistan. Every Pakistani has a right to debate appointment of CJP, PPP Co-Chairman said.
Judges should not judge each other. The Indian package is being contemplated. There should be a committee of ex-judiciary and senior judiciary to look into the complaints of Chief Executive or any citizen against a serving judge, which should be forwarded to the Parliament which should take decision on it.
Asif Ali Zardari said, procedure for appointment of judges is mentioned in the Charter of Democracy and the same will be adopted.
He urged all political parties to extend cooperation for implementation of Charter of Democracy.
Commenting on judges restoration committee, he said it has been decided that suggestions of the committee will be put up before PPP and PML-N leadership.
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