Judges’ letter has exposed interference of security agencies in judicial matters: Liaqat Baloch

LAHORE, March 29 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami acting Emir Liaqat Baloch has said that judges’ letter has exposed interference of security agencies in judicial matters.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Friday, he said facts in Shaukat Siddiqui’s case are already in knowledge of the Supreme Court. The decision to establish a commission under the supervision of a retired judge on judges’ letter controversy, he said, is equivalent to pushing the matter into the background.

Therefore, he demanded the chief justice, instead of entrusting responsibility to someone else, should take notice of the letter himself.  Compromising the judiciary’s independence at this stage will be detrimental to the country and the nation, he said.

Baloch said that the increasing incidents of terrorism in the country and the suicide attack on Chinese engineers are moments of concern. He said he visited the Chinese embassy with a delegation to offer condolences, and it was felt that Chinese diplomats are not only saddened and distressed but also angry.

It is the government’s responsibility to conduct immediate investigations into the matter, gain the trust of the Chinese government, and ensure strict punishment for the criminals, he said. The government, he said, must ensure the protection of all foreigners and citizens in the country, taking into account the National Action Plan and implementing it according to its spirit.

Baloch said the government formed as a result of rigged elections has led to increased political instability and worsened economic crises. Inflation has enslaved lives, and even during the month of Ramadan, inflation is not being controlled.

Besides IMF, the government has no solution for economic improvement, he said, adding there is a need to adopt the principle of self-reliance. In the first phase of non-development expenditures, at least a fifty percent reduction should be made, he said, adding liberation from interest and corruption should be achieved. The decisions of the Federal Shariat Court should be implemented for economic salvation, he said.

Liaqat Baloch said that the series of genocide of Palestinians continues in Gaza and rulers of Islamic countries, OIC, and the United Nations seem helpless. On the other hand, he said, India’s fascist government is committing atrocities against Kashmiris. He said that Jamaat-e-Islami will hold rallies and protest in solidarity with Gaza on April 5.

In response to a question, he said the Jamaat-e-Islami had provided platform to the PTI unconditionally, but later there was a change in PTI’s stance.