Speaker wants number of judges increased to resolve cases

LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said millions of cases are pending in the higher judiciary, which necessitates an increase in the number of judges.

‘If judges start writing the Constitution instead of interpreting it, is politics not being conducted in the courts’ said the PA Speaker while addressing a press conference at the Punjab Assembly Secretariat on Friday.

While responding to a question, the Speaker said a tragic incident occurred in the National Assembly, which caused concern for all, including myself. He added the sanctity of Parliament must not be violated, and caution should be exercised in the future. When things deteriorate, it leads to further problems, if all parties do not play their role, the damage results in greater tragedies, he added.

The Speaker mentioned that private individuals were also brought into the Punjab Assembly in the past, and there was even an assassination attempt on the former Deputy Speaker, Punjab Assembly. From Nawaz Sharif to his close associates, everyone was imprisoned, he added. Today, the founding leader of PTI is facing charges related to May 9 incidents and corruption cases, said the Speaker PA. The Speaker questioned why the arrest of members from within the Assembly is being termed an attack on Parliament, while attacks on the Constitution are being met with an apologetic stance.

Ali Amin Gandapur made inappropriate statements at a rally; perhaps he was not in his senses, and his medical check-up should be conducted. I have witnessed about 10 different assemblies.

Yesterday, the Speaker of the National Assembly issued a ruling that formed a committee to oversee all matters of the National Assembly. This is a positive step.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan added that the involvement of public representatives in the budget process is essential. When Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was the Speaker, even our members were suspended for 15 days, which left the constituencies without their representatives.

The purpose of Parliament and Assemblies is to pass laws and budgets to resolve public issues and ensure that the rights of 250 million people are upheld, he concluded.