‘No doubt parliament is supreme’

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Mian Saqib Nisar, on Friday remarked parliament is the supreme body for them no matter what somebody says.

He gave these remarks when a three-member bench headed by him resumed hearing into a suo moto case on the drying out of the Katas Raj pond. The CJP also said if institutions do not fulfill their responsibility, the Supreme Court (SC) will fill the gap and then nobody should complain about crossing the limits.

While referring to the order passed about the substandard milk, he said when they banned use of injection for buffaloes to increase milk production, the Gujjar community objected to their order.

He said the Gujjars don’t want reduction in milk quantity but are least concerned that children are dying of cancer. The CJP said that there would be no compromise on health and they are least concerned with strikes.

He said they are not ready to take this blame that routine cases are neglected for public interest cases, as they are hearing cases even on Sundays. Earlier, the court sought details of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)’s properties in Pakistan and the income it received from them, and issued notices to the cement factories operating in Kalar Kahar. The CJP said if the ETPB fails to provide details, then its chairman Siddiqul Farooq should go home, adding they have to keep their eyes open on all issues.

He took a strong exception to non-appearance of the ETPB chairman and directed that he should be present in the court on all hearings. “Why should Siddiqul Farooq not be removed from this post and why should the court not take over ETPB and constitute its new board?” the CJP questioned.

He noted with grave concern that on The Mall, Lahore, shops and flats of ETPB have been given out on very low rent. He noted that limestone from Chakwal is being sent to India, adding there are no statues of Shiri Hanoman. He said protection of minorities is part of their religion and obligation under the Constitution.

During the course of hearing, Additional Advocate General Asma Hamid informed the court that the Katas Raj pond had been filled with water. Ramesh Kumar, Pakistan Hindu Council chairman and PML-N MNA, told the court that the pond was filled up not with stream’s water but water from tubewell. At this, the CJP said that by passing the order to close down cement factories in Kalar Kahar, they do not like to create a situation like the sugar crisis in the country.