SC Directs Govt To Submit Cabinet Meeting Minutes.

ISLAMABAD -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday directed the federal government to place the minutes of the cabinet meeting and the decision taken on the amendment in Exit from Pakistan (Control) Rules, 2010.

A five-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial (heading the bench), Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar conducted hearing of the suo moto notice regarding apprehension of undermining the criminal justice system.

Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman onset of the hearing submitted that according to the updated list 30 people left the country and came back. At this, Justice Ijaz asked the AAG to read to the order of the last hearing, and go step by step. Amir Rehman said that in pursuance of 09-06-2022 order that the Attorney General for Pakistan held meeting at the AGP Office with the officials of the NAB, FIA, Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Law. He said that SOPs have been devised and circulated among the stakeholders.

He said that there will be another meeting of the CCEL and the case to case basis the matter would be examined.

Justice Muneeb Akhtar said that the amendment passed in the Exit from Pakistan (Control) Rules, 2010 is the law. He asked that where the law stands and where the government stands? He added that do not tell us that you are examining you are looking case to case basis. The ECL law proviso said that it will be prospective, while the amendment in the law said it is retrospective. The government is on the week wicket, and trying to gain time.

Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan questioned that what the government is doing? He asked from the AAG that whether the government would reverse what had happened that the amendments on ECL Rules would be placed again and then examine the matter case to case basis. He further asked that what was the 'tearing hurry' that in two days they changed the rules.

The Chief Justice said that there should be no changes in the system which are not good for the system. The point before the court is that the persons in position are the beneficiary. He added that person in power cannot make law for his own benefit. He also said, 'Should we (SC) ignore or discard this aspect.'

Justice Bandial, without taking name, said it is good that you (PM) got bail (in corruption case) confirmed through the system. He said that they are monitoring whether the...