Ordinance giving amnesty to Bhutto accepted by court
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry made it clear that all actions to withdraw corruption cases against Bhutto would be reversible if the law was struck down by the apex court.
By PTI |
ISLAMABAD: Keeping up the pressure on government, Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear challenges against an ordinance promulgated by President Pervez Musharraf to grant amnesty to former Premier Benazir Bhutto in graft cases and said all actions under the law would be subject to its final ruling.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry admitted five petitions challenging the National Reconciliation Ordinance and made it clear that all actions taken under it to withdraw corruption cases would be reversible if the law was struck down by the apex court.
Among those who filed the petitions against the ordinance issued by Musharraf on the eve of the October six Presidential poll, are former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's brother Shahbaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed.
The ordinance, which grants amnesty to politicians in corruption cases registered between 1986 and 1999, is part of a power-sharing arrangement being put together after months of secret talks between Musharraf and Bhutto. It is aimed at facilitating Bhutto's return to the country from self-imposed exile to lead her Pakistan People's Party in the upcoming general election.
Admitting the petitions, Chaudhry said "any benefit drawn or intended to be drawn by any of the public office holders shall be subject to the decision on these petitions."
"The beneficiaries would not be entitled to claim any protection if this court concludes that the ordinance and its provisions are beyond the Constitution," he said.
The counsel for Mobashir Hassan, one of the petitioners, argued that the ordinance was issued for a "particular class" as a "pardon" for their wrongdoings.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry admitted five petitions challenging the National Reconciliation Ordinance and made it clear that all actions taken under it to withdraw corruption cases would be reversible if the law was struck down by the apex court.
Among those who filed the petitions against the ordinance issued by Musharraf on the eve of the October six Presidential poll, are former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's brother Shahbaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed.
The ordinance, which grants amnesty to politicians in corruption cases registered between 1986 and 1999, is part of a power-sharing arrangement being put together after months of secret talks between Musharraf and Bhutto. It is aimed at facilitating Bhutto's return to the country from self-imposed exile to lead her Pakistan People's Party in the upcoming general election.
Admitting the petitions, Chaudhry said "any benefit drawn or intended to be drawn by any of the public office holders shall be subject to the decision on these petitions."
"The beneficiaries would not be entitled to claim any protection if this court concludes that the ordinance and its provisions are beyond the Constitution," he said.
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The counsel for Mobashir Hassan, one of the petitioners, argued that the ordinance was issued for a "particular class" as a "pardon" for their wrongdoings.
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