Supreme Court of Pakistan will not tolerate groundless talk against Army

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

The Supreme Court on Monday stated that the Army should not be belittled for it has done a great job in keeping our country safe from the terrorists. The three-member bench agreed with Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that Pakistan cannot be left at the mercy of terrorists.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by Senator Ibrahim against the assigning of civil powers to the army in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Ghulam Nabi Fani, the counsel for Senator Ibrahim, stated a number of provisions of Fata regulations that are in contrary with the Constitution. He argued that the law of evidence clearly states that proceedings would be initiated against the accused under evidence while the statement of army personnel is equaled to evidence in the Fata Regulation.

He insisted that similar laws against terrorism should be practiced throughout the country, including Fata. He also aimed at Muttahida Qaumi Movement alleging that it controls Karachi and the army chief cannot travel to the city as he please.

“You are giving a wrong statement as the army chief and the chief justice were in Karachi on March 6. It is possible he may have been allowed to come to Karachi at that time,” the judges replied to Nabi Fani’s remarks.

Raja Muhammad Irshad, the counsel for the intelligence agencies, showed disappointment over the false remarks claiming that the army chief goes everywhere and Karachi is not under anyone’s control. Nevertheless, the army has to remain vigilant while exercising civil powers.

“Army personnel were being butchered. Army personnel are being killed daily,” Raja Irshad said.

The chief justice stopped Ghulam Nabi in the middle and asked him to present evidence for all his allegations and if he cannot back his statement, he must avoid making them in the court.

“Please bring evidence. Raja Irshad will evolve a report and present it to the court on what the situation prevails therein. We cannot tolerate such type of talk against the army. Strife-torn areas cannot be left at the mercy of terrorists. The special powers, including calling in the army, are assigned under specific situation as per the Constitution. Eighteen persons were targeted a day before. Where the situation will stand if the army returns from there? No military operation is being conducted in Balochistan and the dead bodies in gunny bags are being discovered daily. You say peace prevails therein. Please tell the court if peace was there from April 12, 2008, till now and we will order for the withdrawal of the army from there,” the CJ maintained.