Abb Takk News
Abbtakk Pakistan MOST POPULAR News Ticker Pakistan Top News TRENDING

Panamagate case: JI counsel argues PM’s can’t claim immunity for NA speech on personal issue

ISLAMABAD: The counsel of Jamaat-e-Islami on Monday argued that the Prime Minister can’t claim immunity for his speech made in the National Assembly to clarify his personal position.  The JI’s lawyer Advocate Taufiq Asif further argued that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech in the National Assembly was against the rules of the House.

The larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa heard the Panamagate case, during which JI counsel continued with his arguments.   At the very outset of the hearing, JI counsel submitted before the court that the queries asked during last hearing of the case gave an impression in media that the court had taken a decision.

To which Justice Asif Khosa replied that court ask questions just to understand the matter in hands, adding that the questions must not be presumed as decision.

Justice Azmat Saeed Shekih inquired from the JI counsel whether Prime Minister’s speech was part of the National Assembly’s proceeding. Asif replied that though the speech was part of the proceeding but it was not on the agenda of the National Assembly.

Regarding the privilege of the parliamentarians, the counsel said that the privilege was conditional to constitutional and legals provisions.

Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh asked the counsel whether Speaker National Assembly have powers or not to suspend the agenda of the day.  The judge advised the counsel to read Article 69 of the constitution, saying that Article 69 is relevant in this matter.

To which the counsel replied that the Prime Minister’s speech did not fall under Article 69. The hearing is going on in the Supreme Court.

Taufiq Asif maintained the Panamagate case is about the Sharif family, not the government. He said that NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq allowed the PM to deliver a speech after suspending the proceedings of the Lower House, which is against the rules.

Justice Azmat Saeed then advised the JI counsel to read Article 69 and argue his case according to that.

However, Advocate Taufeeq maintained that Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef’s NA speech does not fall under Article 69 as it was a speech that addressed allegations leveled against Nawaz Sharif on a personal level.

Once again, the question about the PM’s speech being a part of the proceedings of the NA was raised by Justice Khosa.

The PM conducted his speech on Monday while Tuesday is the designated day for the proceedings regarding private matters, he argued and said that if the PM had to provide personal details then his speech should have been made the speech on Tuesday.

Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh asked if the speaker of the assembly does not have the right to suspend the proceedings and give the prime minister permission to conduct his speech. Was the PM not given the permission to conduct his speech by the speaker, Justice Saeed enquired.

Justice Gulzar asked if someone objected on the PM’s speech in the National Assembly on that day.

Advocate Taufeeq replied that the Opposition walked out of the National Assembly in response to the PM’s speech.

The JI counsel requested that the speaker of the National Assembly be asked to hand in the speech to court.

The judges enquired if the transcript of the speech attached with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s evidence was incorrect. Justice Khosa enquired if none of the parties in the case had any reservations regarding the speech why should the record be asked for.

The advocate maintained that there may have been some errors that occurred while translating the speech.

The JI counsel argued that the prime minister first said that everything is clear and now is asking for immunity. He also mentioned that the prime minister separated himself from his children and even changed his counsel. He also said that no money trail has been provided by the prime minister’s counsel regarding the London flats.

Before adjourning the haring on Tuesday, Justice Khosa asked from the JI counsel how much more time he would be required to complete his argument. Asif replied that he would complete his arguments within one hour on Wednesday.