Senate body summons outspoken lawyers
ISLAMABAD: Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has summoned the Senior Advocate Muhammad Akram Sheikh today for his remarks against the parliamentarians during the hearing of 18th amendment case.
Sheikh says he argued the case before the Supreme Court while the senator says Sheikh uttered derogatory remarks against the parliament before media.
A privilege motion was moved by Senior Vice President of Awami National Party Haji Adeel on June 17, 2010 against Sheikh for alleged derogatory remarks made against the parliamentarians.
Akram Sheikh when contacted by The News said that he has utmost respect for the parliament and will present before the committee. However he mentioned that he hasn’t uttered any remark before media or at any forum other than the Supreme Court where he was arguing the appointment of judges’ procedure in the 18tha amendment case.
He said that he had argued before the apex court that there was no mentioning of the qualification of members of the Parliamentary Committee on Judges’ Appointment, which is a fact. He mentioned that he had argued that the arrangement of appointment of judges through judicial commission and parliamentary committee, introduced in the 18th amendment, was impracticable.
“I had argued before the Supreme Court that because of split mandate of the government and multiple-party opposition, it would not be possible for every party to get representation in the parliamentary committee”, said Sheikh adding: “and the new arrangement will politicise the appointment of judges and so far what I had argued was hundred percent correct”.
Sheikh held that he did not say anything against the parliamentarians outside the court. The Senator who has moved the motion against Sheikh, when contacted said that he had moved a motion a year ago and could remember that Sheikh had termed the parliamentarians as child and also uttered derogatory remarks. He said the day he heard the remarks of Akram Sheikh talking to media outside Supreme Court, he filed the privilege motion.
The senator said that he has seen Sheikh speaking against the parliamentarians on the television and even in newspapers as well therefore he had filed the motion rightly.
It is worth mentioning here that not only Akram Sheikh has been called by the committee but former President Supreme Court Bar Association Qazi Muhammad Anwer has also been summoned. Qazi had termed the parliamentarians as smugglers during a press conference. Sardar Muhammad Jamal Khan Leghari had moved a motion against Qazi Anwer.
Moreover the committee has also summoned Dr Nadeemul Haq, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission for irresponsible attitude towards the parliamentarians. Senator Zahid Khan has moved motion against him. The meeting of Senate committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges will be held at 3 pm in the parliament house with Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi in the chair.
Source: The News
Date:5/26/2011
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