Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday attempted to clarify his remarks regarding PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif wooing the judiciary, stating that they were made in the context of the 1997 attack on the apex court.
The premier’s response came during the hearing of a presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution, which is currently under way.
During yesterday’s hearing, the apex court had taken exception to the comments made by the premier during a public meeting in Punjab’s Kamalia city on Saturday where he had said that if Nawaz returned to the country, he would divide the judiciary, which, in fact, he had started doing, adding that the signs were visible.
Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel had regretted that the prime minister in his speech had alleged that attempts were being made to woo judges while Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel had wondered if the premier could restrain himself from “irresponsible” utterances.
During the hearing today, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan presented the premier’s response. “The premier’s speech in Kamalia was brought up in court. I want to put forward the prime minister’s statement [in this regard] in front of you today.”
According to the AGP, PM Imran’s comments were made in the context of the 1997 incident. On Nov 28, 1997, the SC was stormed while the court was in session with the chief justice and other judges hearing a case against Nawaz, the prime minister at the time.
The attorney general added that the prime minister had expressed his full confidence and trust in the judiciary.
