Prime Minister for independence of judiciary

Prime Minister for independence of judiciary

Islamabad: July 22, 2012

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Mr. Farook H.Naik called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at the PM House today and discussed the legal issues and the pending court cases with the Premier.

The Prime Minister said that the government believed in the supremacy of law and governing the country according to the dictates of the Constitution wherein a clear role had been assigned to the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. He said that he not only firmly believed in the independence of judiciary but also for an independent judicial system

The Prime Minister referred to the Objective Resolution which is part of the Constitution that clearly states that the state authority shall be exercised by the chosen representatives of the people.

The Minister apprised the Prime Minister about the initiatives taken to introduce local government system in FATA with a view to ensure people’s effective representation in the planning, and execution of local development projects including the reconciliation mechanism to settle local issues. It would also throw up local leadership, so important for the development of democratic culture and empowering people at the grass-roots, the Minister said

The Minister said that progress on the Anti-Terrorism Law was satisfactorily and it would ensure the conviction of terrorists, which had been presently embarrassingly very low due to the defects in the existing law and the criminals take full advantage of it. The evidence presented in the court by prosecutor does not stand the defense on legal and technical grounds and resultantly hard core terrorists get scot-free, he said.

The Minister said that the law to control the theft of electricity, gas and other services was being undertaken on fast track basis. He said the instructions had been given to vigorously pursue the cases and get the court stays vacated at the earliest as these had stuck WAPDA’s Rs. 1.3 billion.

The Law Minister said that the government was bringing amendment in the existing law to provide inexpensive and speedy justice to the people especially who are poor and involved in minor offences.