‘SC can’t stay martial law, emergency’
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court has remarked it will neither be intimidated by any threat of martial law or emergency not will it take dictation from any one.
These remarks were given by justice Javed Iqbal while presiding over 11 members larger bench of SC hearing constitutional petitions challenging the acceptance of candidature of the president for presidential polls.
Attorney General (AG) Malik Qayyum resumed his arguments as soon as the court started hearing. Justice Javed Iqbal remarked the case was pending in the court against the acceptance of general Musharraf nomination papers for the presidential elections, therefore, media should not decide this case as the court has to decide about it. Journalists should discharge their obligations with full responsibility and not to sensationalize the case. Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan counsel for presidential candidate Justice (Retd) Wajih ud Din Ahmad said application submitted by him seeking court’s orders for restraining the government from taking any ultra-constitutional step including imposition of martial law or emergency or proclamation of Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) be considered now. Justice Javed Iqbal asked Aitzaz Ahsan to deposit his application “ We will talk about it on Monday”, he remarked.
Aitzaz said if any sword falls in this respect then “ I should not be asked”. Justice Javed Iqbal remarked court could not issue any stay order against imposition of emergency or martial law. Aitzaz said AG should be asked in this regard. AG said “ I have not to impose martial law. I know nothing about it”. Justice Javed Iqbal observed court would keep its quorum full. Aitzaz said editorial have been written on imposition of martial law and emergency in three newspapers on Friday.
Justice Javed Iqbal remarked “let the decision come. Then it will be your property and you will be at liberty what to do with it. Every one will be heard fully and appropriate opportunity will be given. We have extended the court time too to hear the case today as we want to dispel this impression that the case is being prolonged. AK Dogar said press was a sacred institution. There is no wrong in it if it comes to the knowledge of people what we talk about here.
Justice Javed Iqbal remarked intellectuals should be brought in TV shows but those intellectuals should be invited who had read the constitution. Every one and other is looking at each other with suspicious looks. But we will give the decision as per law and constitution. “ We want to hear the case today as well”, he further observed.
However the hearing was adjourned till Monday at the request of Aitzaz Ahsan, Sharif ud Din Pirzada and Waseem Sajjad. AG said he would take one hour on Monday and complete his arguments. Sharif ud Din Pirzada and Waseem Sajjad said they needed one full day each. Aitzaz Ahsan said he also wanted to give arguments. The hearing was adjourned till Monday.
Lawyer of Presidential Candidate Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmad and President Supreme Court Bar Association, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has said that the lawyers fraternity would not accept any new Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO) and the judges to take oath under PCO would be boycotted. Talking to media men after hearing of the petitions challenging General Pervez Musharraf’s candidature for the office of President, Aitzaz Ahsan said that protests would be held against the judges who would take oath under PCO.