DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Alam, Advocate, on Monday chaired a meeting via Zoom to review the legal status of various writ petitions, jurisdictional issues, and matters related to Civil Petitions for Leave to Appeal (CPLA).
The meeting was attended by Advocate General KP Shah Faisal Utmankhel, Additional Attorney General, Inspector General Prisons Rehan Gul Khattak, Special Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Shagufta Naveed, and senior officials from the Law, Home, Excise and other relevant departments.
Participants conducted a detailed review of several sub judice writ petitions, including four petitions seeking prohibition, as well as legal opinions issued by the Law Department and the Advocate General’s Office. Discrepancies in existing laws were also examined.
The forum discussed the legal concept of acting beyond statutory authority, the applicability of federal laws at the provincial level, and questions of jurisdiction. It also considered circumstances under which parties could file a CPLA, particularly in cases involving simultaneous application of federal and provincial laws and conflicting judicial decisions.
Matters relating to remission granted to prisoners by the Prisons Department came under detailed discussion. The meeting reviewed cases of prisoners who had been granted remission as well as those denied, and examined the authority to grant or deny remission in light of relevant laws and court rulings. Proposed amendments to the relevant law were also considered.
Stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law, the meeting agreed on the need for timely compliance with court orders and the submission of compliance reports. It was decided that where a judicial decision adversely affects legitimate government or provincial interests, the option of approaching the appropriate legal forum, including through a CPLA, should be examined strictly in accordance with the law.
The participants further agreed to strengthen coordination among the Additional Attorney General’s Office, Excise, Law, Home departments and other institutions to devise an effective future course of action.
Minister Aftab Alam directed all concerned authorities to ensure full compliance with legal requirements and judicial orders in all sub judice matters.
He also instructed that effective coordination be maintained between the Advocate General’s Office and relevant departments to present the government’s position on a firm legal footing before the courts.
