The Upper House of the Parliament on Thursday passed Islamabad High Court Bill, 2010 with two minor amendments, which was earlier passed by the National Assembly. The Bill would again go to the Lower House of the Parliament for approval in view of the amendments proposed by the Senate, as the government did not oppose them.
After making amendments to the Bill, the IHC shall consist of a Chief Justice and six judges to be appointed "from the provinces and other territories of Pakistan, in accordance with the Constitution." Earlier, the National Assembly had passed that the IHC judges would be appointed one from each province, one from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and one from FATA.
It has also approved that the chief justice of the IHC shall be appointed in rotation from ICT, provinces and FATA. Now the judicial commission is authorised to take decision regarding appointment of judges and later the senior most judge of the IHC will be its head.
Minister for Law Babar Awan congratulated the House over its adoption and termed it a pro-people legislation. The Minister said the National Assembly has fulfilled its responsibility by passing the bill and now it would again fulfil its obligation by incorporating the amendments.
Babar added that after passage of 18th Amendment, one particular province would not be allowed to dominate the strength of the IHC. Later, taking part in the debate on the Presidential address to the joint session, the members highlighted the weakness of the government and urged to take immediate steps to provide relief to the masses.
PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar said that government failed to give relief to the people. The government should postpone its plan to impose VAT to avoid further inflation, he added. He was of the view that imposition of VAT would multiply miseries of the people.
Senator Talha Mahmood criticized foreign policy of Pakistan, saying that it does not protect the interests of Pakistan. Regarding Pak-India water row, he said that the next wars would be fought on water. He asked the government to strengthen parliamentary committees to establish supremacy of the parliament.
Senator Talha said though Pakistanis leadership is coward but its people are brave enough to thwart any designs of the enemy. "We don't need a smiling foreign minister but the one who can plead Pakistan's case abroad in an effective manner," he said. He also criticized the government policies, saying each coming day has proved worst than the passed.
Senator Jamal Leghari on a point of order said that Prime Minister Gilani has violated the democratic norms by addressing even another elections rally in Burewala and said that the ECP should take notice of it. Senator Najma Hameed also criticized the PM for addressing election rally in Burewala. Senator Khattumal Jeewan asked the government to ensure water in canals in the lower Sindh.
Senators Dr Saeeda Iqbal, Sheerala Malik, Afrasiab Khattak, Nilofer Bakhtiar, Gulshan Saeed, Najma Hameed and others congratulated Pakistani-born Saeeda Warsi for his success in UK elections and termed it a good news for depressed Pakistani nation.