The Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, recently criticized the judiciary for what he believes are ‘political verdicts’, stating that legal decisions should adhere strictly to the Constitution and laws of the country. In a bold statement, he emphasized that the judiciary’s role is to interpret laws, not create them, urging judges to refrain from political commentary.
Asif highlighted past instances of judicial decisions with political implications, expressing concern over the potentially chaotic constitutional consequences of such actions. He called for accountability and credibility within the judiciary, suggesting that judges who make incorrect rulings should be subject to Article 209.
The Minister’s remarks came following a significant judgement by the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Imran Khan’s party, PTI, regarding reserved seats for women and minorities, impacting the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This decision prompted the Election Commission of Pakistan to implement the Court’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of legal compliance within political processes.