ISLAMABAD, April 15: Voices of dissent were raised on Sunday in the Central Working Committee meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League against what was termed ‘inopportune’ timing of the presidential reference filed against the Chief Justice of Pakistan, thereby plunging the country into a political crisis.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, however, defended the timing as well as the reference and described the move as a bold step aimed at checking what he called violations of the code of conduct, inside sources told Dawn.
The CWC meeting was held at the PM House under the chairmanship of PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
The sources said that three members of the CWC, Iqbal Dar, Justice (retd) Mohammad Azam Khan and Azad bin Haider, had objected to the filing of the reference and its timing and sought a clarification from its initiators.
They said it was not only a case of bad timing but also of improper handling which not only damaged the position of the party but also caused a setback to the government.
They also said that the initiating authority should have properly assessed the political situation and the party also should have been taken into confidence before taking such a major step.
Prime Minister Aziz said the action had been taken to set an example that misconduct by any person, including the Chief Justice, needed to be checked so that such an act was not repeated.
Briefing party members on the issue, Barrister Wasim Sajjad, the government counsel, said that the presidential reference was an inquiry being conducted by the Supreme Judicial Council and not a trial as had been
misconstrued by certain circles.
He said the president would act in accordance with recommendations made by the SJC.
Mr Alamgir, a lawyer from Punjab, argued that the reference was in accordance with provisions of the Constitution and law.
Later, talking to journalists, the prime minister said it was true that the government had been in touch with all political parties but that did not mean it was striking a deal.
Mr Aziz said that although he could not give details of the contacts, it should be recalled that the government had succeeded in rallying some other parties’ support on the issue of Women’s Protection Bill and this was a result of such contacts.
He said the CWC did not discuss a statement of President Pervez Musharraf about dissolution of assemblies.
The sources said Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain informed the CWC about the progress in talks with clerics of Lal Masjid and Jaamia Hafsa.
He said he had succeeded in resolving eight out of 10 contentious issues with the clerics and expressed the hope that the remaining two issues would soon be resolved.
In reply to a question about Lal Masjid and Jaamia Hafsa clerics’ demand about enforcement of Sharia in the country, Chaudhry Shujaat said talks were progressing smoothly but he would not give details at this stage.
He said as far as the enforcement of Islamic injunctions was concerned, “we all stand for Islamic laws to be enforced and implemented.”
