ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Monday remarked that matters which can be resolved in parliament should not be brought to the courts.
Justice Minallah’s comments came as he heard a case regarding the maintainability of a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha against the government’s decision to divert Rs 24 billion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for discretionary spending on parliamentarians’ schemes.
The court reserved its verdict on the maintainability of the petition.
During the hearing, the PML-N MNA argued that Rs 24 billion from CPEC funds have been diverted to parliamentarians. At this, the IHC chief justice responded, “You are a member of the National Assembly, you should approach the parliament.” “The court wants to uphold the supremacy of the parliament. You could have obtained these details through the parliament as well,” he added.
Ranja said, “I sought details from the Ministry of Planning as an MNA, however was not provided with any … and did not even receive a response despite passage of several days.” Justice Minallah said, “Parliamentary matters being brought to the court is not right for the court and the parliament. If the court hears such a petition, it will have an impact on the supremacy of the parliament. MNAs have a lot of authority,” he remarked. “If MNAs use their authority, that is good for the parliament. Do not bring parliamentary matters in court. This court does not even have the authority that MNAs have,” he added.
The petitioner then said that the government is involved in the matter. “We want the constitution to be fully implemented and are only asking the ministry for details,” he argued.
After hearing Ranjha’s arguments, the court reserved its decision on the maintainability of the petition.
