KARACHI: Judiciary, media enjoy unprecedented freedom: Ibad
KARACHI, April 24: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that the filing of presidential reference against a chief justice of Pakistan in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) is purely a judicial matter and no one should try to influence the SJC directly or indirectly.
Addressing a ceremony organized by the Cricketers Guild of Pakistan at a local hotel on Tuesday, he said senior judges were taking judgments and only the judiciary should be left to decide the reference. “Judicial matters should not be politically contaminated,” he remarked.
Dr Ibad noted that the opposition had the right to express reservations and hold protests, but it should refrain from influencing judiciary.
The governor observed that the strength of national institutions and the freedom of expression given by the present government under the leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf were unprecedented.
The style in which the media was working today could not have been even thought of in the past, he pointed out. “Today, the president and ministers are asked questions in a free environment and they do respond to them. The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the same is being exercised,” he added.
Dr Ibad said that for the first time in history of the country, present assemblies were completing their tenure, adding that benefits of this were trickling down to the masses. The foreign policy, uplift works and advancement in every sector were clear evidence of this welcome development, he said.
Dr Ibad noted that the media was playing its due role in creating awareness of various issues in society and enabling ordinary people to take decisions on their own. He said people of Pakistan could no more be misled by propaganda. He was of the view that lack of awareness, interest and attention in the past had led to the failure in achievement of goals and targets set for the progress of the country.
He stressed the need for positive approach and efforts for progress of country and welfare of the nation.—PPI
