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Ban on strikes, rallies

CJ summons AG on 30th

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Chief Justice Irshad Hassan Khan has summoned the Attorney General Aziz A. Munshi to his presence in 10 days to justify the recent government ban on strikes and political rallies country-wide.

The Attorney General who is also the Federal Law Minister has been asked to appear before the Court on March 30 and show cause as to the validity of banning political activities throughout the country.

It was not known if Aziz Munshi has to appear before the Chief Justice in his chamber or before the three-member court presided over by the Chief Justice or a special larger bench will be constituted for the hearing of government case.

The Chief Justice has acted under the suo motu powers of the Supreme Court provided in Article 184 (3) of the Constitution that empowers it to consider questions of public importance related to the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights laid down in Chapter I of part II of the Constitution and make an order for their enforcement.

This power, the Constitution explains, was without prejudice to the authority provided to the provincial high courts in Article 199 to issue various writs and enforce Fundamental rights.