Khurshid Shah’s remarks: PID withdraws press statement | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Khurshid Shah’s remarks: PID withdraws press statement

RAJA AQEEL

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has withdrawn a press statement issued by the Press Information Department (PID) Wednesday quoting the Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khurshid Shah as saying, “Supreme Court should follow the Constitution and not override it.”

In the first immediate reaction to a private TV channel on Khurshid Shah’s statement Minister for Information Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira said, “Record of Khurshid Shah is clear. His statement may have been misreported by the PID,” he said. Sources in Pakistan People’s Party said the Central Executive Committee meeting on Monday last had decided in principle that no member will issue statements as far as the NRO and the apex court are concerned without the consent of prime minister.

Following is the text of statement issued by the PID on Wednesday and later withdrawn at 6.30pm. “The Federal Government Federal Minister for Labour & Manpower Syed Khursheed Shah said that to end the role of democratic government by the Court is tantamount to ridicule the mandate of Pakistanis. We want to strengthen judiciary but judiciary is overstepping its mandate and interfering in administrative decision making ranging from fixing the price of sugar to validating the promotion of civil servants from 21 to 22 grade.

Citing the NFC Award and re-christening of NWFP, he eulogised the performance of federal government during past two and half years. He said the incumbent federal government took such bold decisions, which never were taken by any government in the past. He also clarified the stance of the government on KBD (Kalabagh Dam) issue saying that the government is willing to construct KBD only if consensus is evolved on the issue. He said we believe in policy of reconciliation and we honour the mandate of other political parties that’s why (PPP) government is reluctant to create factions in other political parties.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:9/30/2010