PM vs. CJP

The aftermath of the controversial decision to allow former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment is creating a rift between two key pillars of the state. After NAB distanced itself from the misadventure, a blame game has begun bewteen the judiciafry and the government.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is displeased over the verdict of Lahore High Court which (earlier this week) allowed former premier Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad without any preconditions. The court overruled a government condition to submit a multi-billion rupees bond for permission to fly abroad. 

The prime minister appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa and his successor to restore the public’s trust in the judicial system. The not-so-veiled criticism of the judiciary didn’t go well with the top judge who made a scathing rejoinder to the prime minister. Our CJP warned Imran Khan not to taunt the judiciary as no one is powerful or influential before the court.

The CJP stated that the judiciary post-2009 after the era of former military ruler General Musharraf and the lawyer’s movement is independent and cannot be influenced. The prime minister was also warned to refrain from making such statements against the judiciary, calling into question its impartiality or authority. 

The prime minister was reminded that the judiciary has disqualified one former prime minister and sentenced another. The verdict in Musharraf treason case has also been reserved and will be announced later this month. CJP Khosa is said to have played a key role in moving this case towards a conclusion.

Perhaps the most shocking statement by the CJP was that it was Prime Minister Imran Khan who allowed Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad and that the LHC only set the modalities. The statement will be the subject of intense debate and could ignite a clash of institutions. 

CJP Khosa is retiring on December 21 and the last month of his tenure will set his legacy. He has delivered several verdicts against political and judicial functionaries. He once referred to Nawaz Sharif as the ‘Godfather’ in the Panamagate case and became the first judge to disqualify him as prime minister.

The government is in no mood to clash with the judiciary. The prime minister has accepted the verdict on Nawaz Sharif’s departure and will not appeal against it. He has also refrained officials from commenting on the CJP’s statement.  A public rebuke of the criticism will not set a good precedent, and all institutions must work in harmony within their parameters to ensure the supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, and accountability in the nation.