As the proceedings of Supreme Court (Practice and Procedures) Act near the conclusion, predictions based on the observations made by the judges on the bench have started coming in. Senior lawyer Haider Waheed believes that observations from most of the judges give the impression that the court will decide in favour of upholding the law.
Talking on Naya Daur TV’s flagship show ‘Khabar Say Aagay (Beyond the Headlines)’, Haider Waheed said that he hadn’t seen any judges changing their positions so far after hearing the arguments from various counsels, and it appears that the majority, including the chief justice Qazi Faez Isa, is in favour of upholding the law.
Investigative journalist Azaz Syed commented on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sadaqat Ali Abbasi’s interview with anchor Adil Shahzeb on Dawn News, saying that it was the duty of the journalist and the organisation to investigate if the interviewee was under some kind of duress.
Commenting on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan, Azaz Syed said he was unlikely to go to jail since he had apparently already struck a deal with the all powerful establishment of the country.
Haider Waheed agreed with Azaz Syed, saying that protective bail can be provided to the former prime minister. “Although he’s a convict and it’s not usual for the courts to grant protective bail in such cases but nothing stops the court from granting one either. He should be given the protective bail and allowed to present himself before the court”, Waheed said.
Beyond the Headlines is hosted by Raza Rumi, Monday-Thursday 9 PM (Pakistan time) on Naya Daur TV.