SC will interpret 'truthful' and 'honest': Justice Jawad Khawaja
Khawaja says court will not consider how many members get unseated, interpretation is must
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Justice Jawad S. Khawaja has said that the Supreme Court will interpret the definition of ‘truthful’ and ‘honest’ in light of the constitution of Pakistan. He made it clear that the court will not consider how many members of the assembly lose their seats. He said that even if half of the assembly gets vacated, it will be decided which kind of people will sit in the assembly.
Giving his remarks while hearing the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s eligibility case, Justice Khawaja said that the case was dismissed by Lahore High Court (LHC) terming it political but it is a legal debate. “Apparently, it is a legal matter, not political”, he observed. He said that it must be decided whether a member qualifies as ‘truthful’ and honest’ or not. He said that once the interpretation is done, it will be obligatory for all the courts to follow this decision under Article 199 of the constitution.
“Initially we thought that this matter does not require our interference”, Justice Jawad Khawaja said. “However, new legal points have been raised now and court will decide in the light of the law”, he said. He said that it is obligatory for every citizen to speak the truth even if he is not a member of the assembly. “Constitution says that no liar can represent the nation”, he said.
Judges directed the Attorney General to submit a detailed answer to the questions raised in the court before the next hearing and also directed all three petitioners including Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Ishaq Khakwani and Insaf Lawyers wing to clarify whether their petitions were submitted as individuals or represented their respective parties. Next hearing of the case will be conducted on Saturday.
