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Published 08 Aug, 2012 09:04pm

SCBA chief suggests middle way to end crisis

QUETTA, Aug 8: Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Yasin Azad has said the apex court’s verdict in the NRO case should be implemented and that various options should be examined for the purpose, including formation of a commission by the court to write a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen money laundering case against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Azad said the nation was facing serious challenges, including the sensitive issue of Balochistan, and prudent steps were needed to solve the problems.

He said the bar supported the court’s decision on Wednesday to issue a show-cause notice to the prime minister. However, he warned, sacking of Raja Pervez Ashraf would create huge problems for the country just as did Yousuf Raza Gilani’s disqualification as member ofparliament.

The SCBA chief said a middle path upholding the dignity of the judiciary as well as that of parliament should be found. Sending the letter to Swiss authorities through a commission or holding general election would end the tussle between the institutions, he added.

He assailed the political parties for hurling mud at each other, instead of focusing on real issues being faced by people, including the Balochistan crisis and the energy woes.

Mr Azad said legislation was the business of parliament and no one had the right to deprive legislators of this constitutional responsibility.

However, the judiciary had the power to nullify any law that violated fundamental rights or the basic structure of the Constitution.

He appealed to the Supreme Court to constitute a separate bench to hear numerous cases pending for the past five years, including those of convicts on death row. He said the SCBA had never compromised on its principles and would follow the same policy in future.

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