Chief Justice (CJ) Islamabad High Court (IHC) has remarked parliament is supreme and no other forum is bigger than parliament which should not be degraded further .
.
He gave these remarks during the course of hearing of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid petition against 72-member federal government here Tuesday.
Sheikh Rashid appeared in the court along with his counsel.
CJ IHC while expressing annoyance over bringing political nature petition in the court remarked if such petition is brought in future then exemplary fine will be imposed.
The counsel for Sheikh Rashid told the court we have no other forum than the court in this regard.
The CJ IHC remarked this parliament has been disrespected too much and now such petition should not come in the court. There are elected representatives in the court. That is a forum. The court will not interfere. Did the petitioner publish the list of special assistants and advisers when he was in the government?” he asked.
The CJ IHC asked Sheikh Rashid was interior minister. Did he visit Adiala jail. He had no idea what was going on therein.
The court while addressing Sheikh Rashid remarked “ Sheikh Sahb , we have respect for you. Don’t degrade the parliament. This court respects parliament. Do come to the court if your individual basic right is being affected. But not to bring such application in the court. This is your baseless petition. We could slap fine on you but we are exercising restraint.
The court remarked go to the parliament. No other forum is bigger than parliament. Parliament holds the government accountable on its own. Why are you dragging court in the accountability of parliament. We have respect for you. Keep the courts from such political matters.
Sheikh Rashid requested the court that he wants to withdraw the petition.
The court remarked proper order will be passed in this regard. The courts were misused in the past. Now this should come to end.
