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Tuesday March 19, 2024

CPEC funds case: Not seems good to bring parliamentary matters to court, says IHC

By Obaid Abrar Khan
March 19, 2019

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday remarked that matters related to Parliament should be solved there instead of bringing them to the court. Justice Athar Minallah on Monday reserved verdict on petition filed by PML-N MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha against the government decision to give Rs24 billion from China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) fund to the Parliamentarians.

During hearing, petitioner PML-N MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha argued that government had diverted Rs24 billion from CPEC funds to parliamentarians.

To this, Justice Athar Minallah remarked, "You are a member of the National Assembly, you should approach the Parliament." Justice Minallah further remarked that he could have obtained all the details through Parliament. “The court wants to uphold the supremacy of the Parliament,” he added.

To this, petitioner Shahnawaz Ranjha said that as member of Parliament, he had requested the Ministry of Planning for the details of the CPEC funds but he did not receive any response from them. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that MNAs have a lot of authority, which even this court did not have. MNAs should use their authority and that is good for Parliament.

Justice Minallah further remarked if parliamentary matters are brought in the court, this will affect the supremacy of Parliament. After hearing arguments, IHC reserved its verdict on the maintainability of the petition and adjourned the hearing.