ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday evening held an extraordinary two-hour long one-on-one meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar at latter’s chamber in Supreme Court of Pakistan’s (SC) building.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Court’s Public Relation Officer, it said that the meeting was scheduled on the request of Prime Minister Abbasi through Attorney General, adding that the premier assured full support to improve the judicial system.
It said that though the meeting was held in a pleasant environment, the premier informed the chief justice about the issues federal board of revenue and tax department is facing ‘on account of pendency of litigation involving revenue in different Courts’.
“The chief justice assured the Prime Minister that he will look into the matter and such litigation shall be fast-tracked,” the statement said. “The Honourable Prime Minister also informed the Honourable Chief Justice that the Council of Common Interest (CCI) had approved the water policy which will help in the fruition of Honourable Chief Justice’s efforts in that direction.”
The Supreme Court said that PM Abbasi pledged full support for public interest litigation initiatives undertaken by the chief justice.
The sources privy to the development said case hearings against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nawaz Sharif were not discussed in the meeting. Prime Minister Abbasi apprised the chief justice on the issues executive is facing due to certain observations by the courts.
Earlier, the premier arrived at the Supreme Court building without security protocol where he was received by the chief justice.
The apex court building saw a sudden influx of local security officials and a cordon was put in place shortly before seven o’clock. Prime Minister Abbasi arrived at the court without his official security protocol.
He was welcomed at the judge’s gate by the chief justice.
Sources said the meeting was held at the request of PM Abbasi while an official press release is expected to be issued soon by the SC’s information department.
Last month, the prime minister took the PML-N’s row with the judiciary to the parliament and called for an ultimate debate as to who has the final say in legislation.
He had criticised the judicial activism, alleging that it was badly affecting the functioning of his government.
Responding to those remarks, the CJP had said: “Parliament is supreme but there is also the Constitution above it.”
He had made it clear that the parliament could not make any laws that are in violation of the Constitution.
Several PML-N leaders, including ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, are facing cases in the country’s courts for their remarks regarding the judiciary.
The contempt cases have not deterred Sharif, who has continued his criticism of the judiciary and said that judicial reforms will be one of the main items in his party’s manifesto for the upcoming General Elections.
At the end of the meeting, CJP came with PM and both posed for a picture.
