ISLAMABAD: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of Supreme Court remarked that if a political party made a wrong law next government could change it when it came to power.

During hearing of petition against recent amendments to National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), judge said that in case a political party enacted wrong legislation, people would not vote for it and that was way how political parties were held accountable.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Shah heard Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s petition against amendments to accountability law. Justice Shah said that there were flaws in laws, including those pertaining to sexual harassment. He asked whether court could direct for legislation in accordance with international conventions. Even if court gave instructions, Justice Shah further asked, to what extent Parliament would be bound by them.

Imran’s lawyer Khawaja Haris replied that court had issued instructions to Parliament in many cases. Chief Justice said that corruption of private individuals was also mentioned in international convention, adding that private individuals might also be consultants, suppliers and contractors.

He pointed out that individuals as well as companies could also give false reports to government. Haris replied that private individuals were also accused of corruption of Rs 9 billion in Bank of Punjab case. Justice Shah inquired whether any other country had made anti-corruption law in accordance with international conventions. Haris said that he had not reviewed corruption laws of other countries.  Justice Shah said that Pakistan had anti-corruption law since 1947 and international conventions were issued in 2003. Haris said that crimes listed in international conventions had been included in Pakistani law. Justice Ahsan inquired whether there was any provision under which mutual legal assistance would be acceptable. Haris said there was law regarding admissibility of evidence. Justice said that before amendments, accountability law was fully compatible with international conventions. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 26 2022

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