Asad Umar hails SC verdict but wonders what makes Shehbaz elated
Pakistan
The PTI leader says overall the apex court's verdict was a correct decision
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - PTI leader and former minister Asad Umar on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict on law limiting the chief justice’s powers, but wondered what made PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif excited over it.
Speaking to reporters outside the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad, he described the SC verdict as a “correct decision".
The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down the pleas against the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 with 10-5 majority. The verdict was announced by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. The apex court hearing was streamed live on the PTV.
Umar said he wondered why former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif was celebrating the apex court's decision when people were saying the decison was not good for Nawaz Sharif.
To a question, Umar said let's see if PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who started his journey back to Pakistan on Wednesday, would return to the country after the top court's decision. The PTI leader was referring to the full court’s decision of not allowing right to appeal retrospectively against verdicts taken under Article 184(3) which means that Nawaz Sharif may not able to challenge his lifetime disqualification.
Replying to a question about use of classified document, he said he believed that cipher was used legally. "The diplomatic cipher is sent to the prime minister, foreign ministry, army chief and DG ISI. Only my name and not planning ministry was mentioned in the [cipher] FIR," he maintained.
Appearance in case
Asad Umar appeared before the ATC in the Federal Judicial Complex attack case.
Meanwhile, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain ordered the Adiala jail superintendent to submit a report on the PTI chief’s security for his appearance in the court after consulting the interior ministry by Oct 24.
