Petition in Pak SC seeks Army’s involvement in implementing court judgments

ISLAMABAD - A constitutional petition has been filed in Pakistan Supreme Court to invoke Article 190 of the Constitution, directing the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) to take all necessary steps for the implementation of its verdicts or to explore the possibility of mid-term elections strictly in accordance with the Constitution.

In the wake of the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, former Assistant Advocate General of Punjab- Afshan Ghazanfar- has filed the petition under Article 184 (3), making General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani (COAS), the Defence Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, chief ministers of the provinces and the Election Commission of Pakistan as respondents, The News reports.

“The non-cooperation of the federal government and other governments has become in vogue in implementing the decision of the apex court, which has resulted in sheer disappointment and it has become the talk of the country how to get implemented the judgments of the SC,” the petitioner submitted.

Citing several landmark judgments of the court, she said that while all decisions of the apex court had been taken in view of the best interests of the country as warranted by the Constitution, to eliminate the menace of corruption, bad governance, favoritism and nepotism, the desired result could not be achieved due to non-implementation of all the decisions.

She prayed that in view of above-mentioned circumstances, the provision, as enumerated in Article 190 of the Constitution, may kindly be invoked and all respondents, including the COAS, be directed to take all necessary steps for the implementation of the court orders.

The petitioner further prayed that in case of its non-implementation, the apex court may also explore the possibility of mid-term elections strictly in accordance with the provisions of Article 62 and 63, and during the intervening period, an interim set-up be constituted by the Supreme Court.

Afshan contended that the deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan prompted her to knock at the doors of the court, as the current situation had become a real threat for the solidarity and integrity of the country. (ANI)