ISLAMABAD, Feb 08 (APP): The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments inthe National Accountability (NAB) Ordinance by the government.
A three-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar AtaBandial, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard thecase. During the course of proceedings, Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan, counselfor the federal government, said that if Parliament changed the nature of apunishment by amending the law, it applied to the convict.
Justice Mansoor asked if the death penalty law was abolished and lifeimprisonment was imposed, would the punishment of all criminals be changed?
Makhdoom Ali Khan said that the nature of punishments under the HudoodOrdinance were also changed by the order of the Supreme Court. The changein punishments under the Hudood Ordinance only stopped the cycle ofinhumane punishments, he added.
Justice Mansoor asked whether the NAB amendments be voided if they conflictwith other constitutional provisions other than fundamental rights?
Justice Ijaz said that a new law could be voided whenever it conflictedwith the existing constitutional provisions.
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Justice Mansoor asked could the Supreme Court determine the intention ofthe members of Parliament behind a piece of legislation?
Makhdoom Ali Khan said that it had been said in several judgments that itwas easiest to accuse someone of malice and equally difficult to prove it.
Justice Mansoor asked could it be said that the benefit of the NABamendments had been gained by a certain section?
Makhdoom Ali Khan said that NAB amendments were for all, they did notbenefit any particular section.
