|
CJ wary of potential
politicising of judges’ appointments
Statesman Report
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar
Muhammad Chaudhry said Murree and Chhanga Manga are the ground
realities of politics in the country, where ministries have to be
gifted to court political support, Geo News reported Thursday.
Justice Chaudhry said this while
heading a 17-member larger bench hearing constitutional petitions
filed against Eighteenth Amendment in the Constitution.
Wasim Sajjad, the counsel of the
federal government continued his arguments Thursday, saying the
Chief Justice has precedence in the new procedure of appointments of
the judges, as he heads Judicial Commission instituted for the
purpose.
Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday asked
as to why the modus operandi was altered, if the powers are the same
as before.
Justice Chaudhry was suspicious of
any potential deadlock over the appointment of judges thanks to the
presence of people who have opinions at variance with each other.
He also commented on the politics of
awarding ministries to elicit support, saying, 'A lot of grappling
occurs when vacancies come up. Will the same tradition be projected
in judges' appointments?'
Justice Asif Khosa also remarked
that the Committee needs five members to endorse someone as judge;
however, six members are required to reject, adding in either case,
deadlock of a new kind may emerge.
'The issues should be dissolved with
practicable solutions,' the Chief Justice asked Wasim Sajjad to
apprise the same to the Parliament.
Justice Javed Iqbal said merit
continued to be neglected in the appointment of judges and junior
judges were promoted to the Supreme Court from Balochistan.
The prime minister also can join the
Parliamentary Committee for judges' appointments, Wasim Sajjad
submitted. |
