SC's approval of draft letter a victory for justice, law: Naek
11 October, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Farooq H Naek on Wednesday termed the approval of the draft letter by the Supreme Court a victory for justice... law and democracy. Talking to newsmen at the Supreme Court building, Naek said the "sacrifices rendered by Benazir Bhutto... President Asif Ali Zardari and other workers to maintain democracy had bore fruit". He rejected the impression that a deal had been made for the approval of the draft letter, saying everything was transparent. The government, he said, conveyed its reservations to the apex court and similarly the court had expressed its reservations. "Now all reservations have been removed and everything is settled," he added. Naek said the letter would be written within four weeks, and stressed that the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution under the country's constitution, therefore, he could not be tried in a court. Meanwhile, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Yaseen Azad also said the president enjoyed complete immunity from prosecution in the country and as well as abroad. Talking to reporters at the Supreme Court building, he said that as head of state president had immunity from prosecution under the international laws. Azad said the perception that there was a confrontation between the judiciary and executive on the drafting of the letter had been dispelled now, and noted it was good for both the country and the nation. Answering a query, he said the Supreme Court had acknowledged the president had immunity from prosecution as mentioned in the constitution. Azad reiterated that the constitution was very clear on the issue of presidential immunity. Separately, the SCBA president condemned the attack on Malala Yousfzai and demanded the government arrest the assailants immediately. In reply to a question regarding sanctions on media, he said that there should be no restriction on media and there should be free flow of information about everything. "The media was free to highlight all kinds of news as the people of Pakistan had right to access information," he remarked. End.
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