LAHORE: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says the complaint against judiciary cannot be thrown into a dustbin to ward off any pressure mounting against the prime minister.

The complaint against Justice Qazi Faez Isa has been referred to its relevant forum – the Supreme Judicial Council – for scrutiny and a decision.

“Since the prime minister has taken oath to be loyal with the country and its people, he cannot close his eyes fearing that any action may result in mounting political pressure by the opposition and the lawyers’ community,” she said . Saying the SJC is not government-controlled institution, Dr Awan said the government was neither dictating any institution nor overstepping its legal boundaries.

Speaking at a “Meet The Press” programme at the Lahore Press Club on Tuesday, Dr Awan said PM Imran Khan was a leader who was facing challenges instead of sweeping them under the carpet. “His vision explains no one is above the law,” she said.

She said the previous rulers swept even smaller problems under the carpet that had now grown into a cancer. “PM Imran Khan is all set to treat such cancers through reforms while abiding by the rule of law. He is not looking to fulfill his desires or planning to malign anyone,” Dr Awan said.

The PM’s special assistant said the government had discharged its constitutional duty by referring the complaint to the SJC and had to defend itself, when media started alleging that President of Pakistan did not agree with the content and language of the reference against Justice Isa and that there was a difference of opinion within the government. “It is government’s right to give its point of view and ask when it tried to do anyone’s character assassination,” she asserted.

Answering a question about former premier Nawaz Sharif’s health in jail, the PM’s special assistant said Mr Sharif did not bothered to consult his private hospital or lab when he was residing at his Jati Umra residence. Praying that Mr Sharif may stay healthy, Dr Awan chided Maryam Nawaz Sharif for her wish that the jail manual for the prisoner should act according to her wishes.

She said PM Imran Khan was now struggling to ensure the supremacy of the state institutions. “This situation is altogether alien to the former rulers, who used to force state institutions according to their wishes with wink of their eyes,” she said. Dr Awan said the whole opposition should come to the National Assembly as the PTI government would present its budget for the financial year 2019-2020.

Responding to a question about spat between a TV anchor and science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry, the PM’s special assistant said the issue of making personal attacks needed to be resolved.

About Fawad Chaudhry’s criticism against the select advisers in the government, Dr Awan said Mr Chaudhry “is in the habit of hitting sixes when he gets some no balls. The media should not compel him to play short-pitch balls,” she suggested and added that Mr Chaudhry would also be reminded to play within his crease.

About Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Dr Awan said the committee’s chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman remained absent throughout the year and surfaced only before sighting the Eidul Fitr moon.

Stating that the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa government consolidated three Eids into a consensus Eid, the PM’s special assistant said the Ruet-e-Hilal committee should engage and consult all provinces to remove ambiguities about Ramzan and Eidul Fitr moon.

WAGE AWARD: The PM’s special assistant announced that the interim relief under eighth Wage Award would be notified after Eidul Fitr. For the announcement of permanent wage award, she said the consultations were in session and the government was engaging all stakeholders for a consensus.

MEDIA POLICY: Dr Awan said a media policy has been prepared and being shared with all press clubs in the country for their input. “The new media policy will see media as well as advertisement under one umbrella,” she said.

She said the media policy would also try to bridge the disparity of salaries being given to the journalists and media workers and added advertisement payment to media owners would be linked with payment of salaries of their workers. She said social media would also be introduced as an identified stakeholder in the new media policy.

She said the PTI government would develop an effective mechanism to give houses to journalists (who do not own a house), under the PM’s Apna Ghar Scheme.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2019