SC can strike down any law repugnant to basic rights, says CJP.

ISLAMABAD -- Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umer Ata Bandial Thursday said that any law that is ultra vires the fundamental rights can be struck down by the Supreme Court. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah conducted hearing of the constitutional petition of PTI chairman Imran Khan against the amendments in the NAO 1999. During the hearing, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said if someone files a petition that the prime minister cannot run the country and requests the apex court to look into this matter, then will the Supreme Court take its jurisdiction under Article 184(3) on that basis and run the government as their fundamental rights are affected. 'Where shall we stop?' He questioned if there was no amendment in the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 and rogue elements come to power and use the law in a way to protect corrupt people then what the court could do? Imran Khan's counsel Khawaja Haris argued that in the Bank of Punjab case, neither the FIA nor the NAB took action against those who were involved in the financial scam of the bank. It was the Supreme Court that had asked the NAB to initiate proceedings against them. Justice Mansoor remarked that is it not that the apex court had taken up the functions of the executive. He questioned should the judiciary take the supra role? He asked, 'Do we...