EDITORIAL: Talk of another ‘intervention’

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\09\16\story_16-9-2010_pg3_1

Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry has stressed that all state institutions should work within their given parameters. He said that the superior judiciary has a “unique responsibility to ensure that all branches of the state are functioning within their jurisdiction” and “if any institution crosses its limits, then the judiciary has the authority to intervene”. CJ Chaudhry is right in asking all state institutions to stay within their limits. What is worrying though is the use of the word ‘intervene’. For the past few weeks, the country has been up in arms because of MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s open call for military intervention. That furore had hardly died down and now CJ Chaudhry has talked of judicial intervention. No one can doubt the integrity and sincerity of Chief Justice Chaudhry, but issuing such statements at this point in time may create further unnecessary panic in an already grief-stricken country. Since the 2008 elections, the incumbents have been engulfed in one crisis or another while the anti-democratic forces are at work to destabilise this government. After nine years of rule by a military dictator, we should be glad to have a people’s representative government back in our midst. Instead, we have been giving it a hard time.




There are no two opinions on allowing a state institution to transgress its powers or misuse them for any vested interest. However, the same rule should be applied to the superior judiciary as well. CJ Chaudhry raised a pertinent point by saying that “any act contrary to law or the constitution is ultra vires of the constitution”. Going by this statement, the Supreme Court may wish to revisit the hearing of petitions against the 18th Amendment that has already been passed by parliament. CJ Chaudhry himself admitted that the superior courts’ judges are under oath to “preserve, protect and defend the constitution”. Thus the respected judiciary should be careful not to give an impression of going against the constitution and wasting the court’s precious time in hearing petitions that have no space according to the law of the land. As per Article 239(5) of our constitution: “No amendment of the Constitution shall be called in question in any court on any ground whatsoever.” “Physician, heal thyself” is an old adage and can be applied to the judiciary too, which should respect the fact that in a democratic country, parliament is supreme and its constitutional amendments cannot be challenged. If the superior judiciary, at any point in time, thinks that a state institution is crossing its constitutional limits, it can give a verdict or suggestion to correct the matter. The independence of the judiciary is an integral part of the state system, but that independence too must be exercised with responsibility. The respectable justices have assured on a number of occasions that they are great supporters of democracy. Seemingly the superior judiciary has no ulterior motives in hearing the petitions against the 18th Amendment but there have been some noises from the PPP-led government’s quarters that these petitions too are part of plans to destabilise this government. Democracy in Pakistan is in its nascent stages and as we celebrated International Day of Democracy yesterday (September 15), we should vow not to indulge in destabilisation games.



On another note, the judiciary has done a good job by taking suo motu notices of many an important issue but it should not overly burden itself with such cases alone. The huge backlog of cases must be taken care of because justice has been conspicuous by its absence for far too long because of delays. *



SECOND EDITORIAL: Lawmakers’ shining fortunes



Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency’s (PILDAT’s) report, ‘How Rich are Pakistani MNAs’, which analyses the declared assets of MNAs of the 12th and 13th National Assemblies between 2003-2009, is revealing. While the average worth of the National Assembly members in the previous parliament was Rs 27 million, it now stands at Rs 81 million — a three times increase. The most spectacular case was that of Mohammad Kamran Khan from FATA, whose assets’ value shot up 42 times in a matter of just a year. The report also gives party, province, and gender-wise details of MNAs’ assets.



The PILDAT report’s contents appear to reinforce the public perception about politicians that they secure legislative seats to increase personal wealth. The increase in value of properties and other assets during the time period covered by the report does not explain the extraordinary bloating of the value of their assets. This obviously leads to the surmise that the members acquired new assets during their term. This is despite the fact that they are receiving their salaries and other perks and privileges. It is well known that, barring a few exceptions, political parties award tickets only to those candidates who are financially sound and can fund their election campaigns. Once in office, these very candidates work to recover the amount they had invested by using their power and influence. While their performance in increasing personal wealth is remarkable, they are woefully lacking in discharging the duties they are elected to perform, i.e. legislation.



The assembly has a heavy agenda of legislation, but, more often than not, the house is marred by a lack of quorum. Ministers seem to give priority to matters other than attending sessions and participating in debates related to their respective ministries and if and when they do, they are ill prepared. Other than passing the 18th Amendment, the current National Assembly is yet to show the maturity and commitment required of this august house. It would be good if the respected members understand that their single-minded pursuit of wealth is adding to their negative image. This is not to suggest that non-political government officials do not indulge in abuse of power, but people have some expectations from democracy and their chosen representatives. MNAs’ upright conduct and good performance in their job will bolster public confidence in democracy and ensure their re-election. *