Minister for Law and Justice, Babar Awan on Tuesday asked the Punjab government to immediately arrest Rana Maqbool, Secretary Prosecution Punjab and hand him over to Sindh government for trial. In a press conference, Minister for Law and Justice claimed that Rana Maqbool was declared judicial absconder by superior court.
It was high time for the Punjab government to show solidarity with independent judiciary. The provincial government must follow the policy of tolerance and reconciliation and hand him over to Sindh government at the earliest. "Federal government will not extend 24 hours deadline," he added. He said despite an assurance given by leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Nawaz Sharif, the judicial absconder was not arrested in 24 hours. He suggested that Nawaz Sharif should ask his brother chief minister of Punjab to immediately arrest Rana Maqbool.
He further said it was not a test case, but time to honour their commitments made to the nation that they would always work for independent judiciary. He said Pakistan People's Party adopted the policy of reconciliation as introduced by Benazir Bhutto. The political victimisation is now history and the present government wanted supremacy of constitution, he added.
He said parliament was being discredited in a systematic way and an environment is being created for mid-term elections. Under 18th Amendment, the present assemblies were enjoying full protection of Constitution to complete their 5-year tenure. The minister said the Election Commission was making necessary arrangements to conduct by-elections on three vacant constituencies in Punjab and the election schedule would be announced soon. He said these elections would be held under the Charter of Democracy.