Federal govt is a relevant forum to oversee economic matters: Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (SABAH): Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) while giving remarks in a case related to taking loans more than constitutional limit, has said that it should not be implicated in economic issues as the court has already been implicated in a number of issues. It added the federal government is a relevant forum to oversee economic issues.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing of a case with regards to drawing loans by exceeding constitutional limit.

Counsel for the petitioner argued before the court that that a constitutional petition was filed in 2020 with regards to taking loans  by exceeding constitutional limit, adding people who were party in the case including Dr. Abdul Hafiz Shaikh and Dr. Raza Baqar have escaped.

To this, the Chie Justice asked that his case was that Debt Limitation Act 2005 was not implemented. The counsel for the petitioner argued that the government violated the constitution while drawing debts by exceeding limits.  Justice Athar Minallah remarked that one should knock the doors of High Court as the country was suffering from worse economic issues.

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that talk of counsel for the petitioner carries weight as why much debt was taken. He said that State Bank’s website should be checked that how much debts were drawing annually since 1947.

The Chief Justice further remarked that the country was facing economic issues; however, it was not a proper time that the court conducts hearing on such a petition. 

Justice Athar Minallah remarked that whatever suggestions the petitioner wanted to put forth, should be presented before the federal government and that the Supreme Court must not be implicated in the economic matters as it is already been implicated in a number of issues. He said that the federal government is relevant forum to oversee economic matters.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial asked the petitioner to inculcate awareness among the masses while writing down in newspaper. The court while directing the lawyer to take input from the petitioner Dr. Muhammad Zubair, adjourned hearing of the case for an indefinite period.