PM is not accountable to the courts: AG Qadir

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

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Attorney General Irfan Qadir. — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General of Pakistan, Irfan Qadir said on Friday that Prime Minister’s designation is more powerful as compared to the judges and he is not accountable to the courts, DawnNews reported.

Irfan Qadir added that the final decision on the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be taken within two days.

While talking to the media, outside the Supreme Court, he said that, “all the positions fall under the authority of Prime Minister after President. If all are equal in the eyes of law then the Supreme Court should also call 18 million people.”

Moreover, Attorney General said that, Supreme Court should not have summoned the Prime Minister to appear before the court and they cannot ask the prime minister to write a letter.

“All federal institutions should be respected,” said Irfan Qadir.

He also added that he will continue to follow the constitution of Pakistan regardless of what the court says.

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Yemeen Zuberi

Aug 24, 2012 06:02pm

The Parliament (legislature) makes laws; the Supreme Court interprets the laws; and the Executive implements, and make sure that these are implemented, if necessary with the help of police and military. Interpretation of laws is as important as making of laws.

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marghoob ahmed siddiqui

Aug 24, 2012 06:02pm

Mr.ATTORNEY GENERAL Were you sleeping when Gillani was disqualified? What is the difference between him and present PM? Have you ever learned respecting Courts. Shame on you.

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M Haroon Jamshed

Aug 24, 2012 08:40pm

That is the right way Arif...voting.

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imran

Aug 24, 2012 06:04pm

If you allow argueably one of the most, if not the most, corrupt person to become President of a country this is exactly what will happen as is going on now in Pakistan.

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Tariq Mirza

Aug 25, 2012 10:08am

I fully agree that courts should consider unbiased opinion and should remain within boundaries. Arsalan case, cases against Nawaz and Shahbaz and others should also be handled with the same speed. Going against government brings instability to Pakistan.

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Abdul Hadi

Aug 24, 2012 01:14pm

The is always check and balances in all constitutions. I believe court has right to send back new laws to parliaments for review if the new law is contradictory to existing laws and new law will create confusion. Courts can't void laws in isolation or merits or demerits of law but only if new law is not fitting properly to the existing law. This is because courts have to decide matters according to law and if law has ambiguity then process won't be easy. Pakistani courts today should stop crossing their boundaries. Courts should also stop giving preferred treatement to Arsalan.

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Badar

Aug 24, 2012 01:18pm

Supreme court does not implement laws. Supreme Court interprets the Constitution (in fact all courts do the same at their own levels). Irfan Qadir is acting like a PPP lawyer and NOT as Attorney General. The role of AG is to assist the court..not to challenge the court. He challenges the court, insults the Chief Justice and all other judges. The court is being extremely tolerant of his rude style.

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Aug 24, 2012 07:38pm

You are wrong here. Prime Minister is answerable to the parliament not to the Chief Qazi. If CQ has anything against it...he may invoke the parliament...and leave it to the parliament decision.

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Aug 24, 2012 07:39pm

Mr. Iftikhar Chodhary should also resign.

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Arif

Aug 24, 2012 12:25pm

I think its time for change and educated people should come forward to cast their VOTE, its their duty. In our country educated people love to talk, write and participate in TV talk shows but never participate in election process. I am no different, I have decided not only to cast my vote but to convince other people too to do the same.

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Arif

Aug 26, 2012 10:34am

People use vote to elect their representatives, but Courts have all the legal rights to check if its working with in LAW. Our judges take suo-motu because Govt and department are not working properly. All these and many other problems can be resolved if every one is selected and elected on MERIT.

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Ali

Aug 27, 2012 08:08am

Sorry to say but NO, They are not.

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Muhammad Alvi

Aug 24, 2012 11:49pm

Ali is right. Rayr, you are so wrong. Every statement that you made above is wrong. Supreme Court does not implement laws, it interprets laws. Supreme Court can review and reject laws passed by the Parliament. It is so in every democracy of the world.

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Aug 24, 2012 03:05pm

EVERY PAKISTANI IS ANSWERABLE TO THE LAW. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. PERIOD!!!

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Masood Hussain

Aug 24, 2012 03:06pm

Mr.Irfan.Qadir is 100% Right.Support to C.J during Lawers movement is being mis-interpretted.

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Zulfiqar

Aug 24, 2012 03:52pm

Is the attorney general of Pakistan or the attorney general of Peoples Party of Pakistan. Looks like everyone in Pakistan is above the law. I am voting for PTI and Insha Allah we will see the change. In my opinion there is no loss in trying a new party. PPP and PML-N have been ruling for years without any considerable progress. It is time for us to give another party a chance.

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Fauzi Zamir

Aug 24, 2012 08:42pm

So the PM is above the law...per the attorney General...surely you jest?? On what basis?

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critical analysis

Aug 24, 2012 02:27pm

what nonsense. All laws are for the betterment, protection and justice for the society. Supreme court is the sole provider of justice. PM is also a citizen, and a chowkidaar is also a citizen. If there is issue between both, they both have to appear in the court of law.

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Ali abbas

Aug 24, 2012 06:26pm

Read my comment above. Your right wing agenda should not be sanctioned via courts. If the likes of you need to get in power then go to public and prove your credential. Try to undermine left leaning and progressive parties through back doors (military and SC) should not happen. I wish people like you defend democracy with same vigor under martial law.

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rayr

Aug 24, 2012 12:40pm

And you do! Parliament is suppose to make laws and supreme court is to implement those laws! Some laws may be favorable to masses and politicians and the others may not be. Supreme court can't null or void those laws passed by the parliament.

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Muhammed Javaid

Aug 24, 2012 06:59pm

I hope that SC will not cross the line again and understand the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. SC should know it limits and keep itself intra vires . SC is limited in its powers of judicial review.

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Malak Ghulam

Aug 24, 2012 07:02pm

Let us All Abide by the LAW OF THE LAND. Now if you do not Clearly Understand the Law of the Land; seek help from a Neutral Third Party to interpretate the Law of the LAND. But clearly Nobody is above the Law of the Land; No Mr. President, Nor Mr. Prime Minister, or Mr. Chief Justice; NO BODY.

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Javed

Aug 24, 2012 01:24pm

I am surprised on the intelligence of Irfan Qadir. Is he the attorney general. What a pity. Simple rule. Nobody is above the law, whether it is the president, prime minister or a common man. Justice should start from the top man. It should start from Zardari. Actually he should set an example to be honest and trustworthy. If he is corrupt and can escape, then God save Pakistan. keep it up Supreme Court.

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Cyrus Howell

Aug 24, 2012 05:42pm

The Prime Minister is not accountable to anyone.

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M Sajid

Aug 24, 2012 05:24pm

I fully endorse these views. AG is supposed to be neutral person and not a puppet of the sitting government

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syed Inam

Aug 24, 2012 05:18pm

I agree 100%

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Aadamy

Aug 24, 2012 05:18pm

Parliament is not supreme especially not in a country where Islam has highest authority. You need accountability with checks and balances that happens in places where they that do not even have a religion. So before you put your foot in your mouth think about it you are just staring at a brick, you need to step back and look at the wall which is part of a house which is part of a city which is part of a country which is part

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Kharbindersingh

Aug 24, 2012 01:04pm

I support Supreme Court of Pakistan; not corrupt politicians and their stooges.

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Mushtaq Ahmad

Aug 24, 2012 11:22am

Mr Irfan Qadir needs to be honest with himsel and resign

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Ali

Aug 24, 2012 01:08pm

Exactly

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Ali

Aug 24, 2012 11:15am

Talking nonsense like a person who has no idea of the constitution

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DANISH

Aug 24, 2012 11:08am

I wonder is there any constitution exist in Pakistan? Gov . is run by might is right policy.

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Muhammad Tahir Jamali

Aug 24, 2012 10:49am

No Political statements, Mr. Irfan Qadir. What constitution says every educated person of Pakistan have knowledge of it. Be specific and logical.

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Freedom is Born To Rise

Aug 24, 2012 04:46pm

Yes Parliament is suppose to make laws, but if the law is unconstitutional it's the duty of the high court's to insure it's struck down. If you need any poof of this please read about the health care law passed by Obama which was upheld by supreme court, they could have struck it down if they thought it was not within the boundaries of constitution.

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Ali

Aug 27, 2012 08:09am

Why are you hiding behind your name

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Abdul Wahab Siddiqui

Aug 24, 2012 04:30pm

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW !!

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Fraz

Aug 24, 2012 04:25pm

Are you saying that PM and President are super being and not accountable? Are you saying they are above law? It seems very wrong and against fundamentals of justice

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Arijit Banerjee (India)

Aug 24, 2012 04:06pm

Yes, PM and President of a democratic country (like Pakistan) should be above the court or Judges when they are in charge of his office. I do not agree with Supreme Court of Pakistan

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M Iqbal

Aug 24, 2012 04:04pm

It is pot luck for Pakistanis. I have never come across an Attorney General whose manners are so disgusting, conduct so unprofessional and knowledge of Law so patchy. What else we can expect from this Government?

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AA1

Aug 24, 2012 12:05pm

what kind of excuse is this? in order to let the democratic system continue, we won't let the basic fundamentals of goverance to fall apart. System prevails because of rule of law and nothing else. These people need to know they are not the servants of PPP but Pakistan.

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raika45

Aug 24, 2012 02:50pm

Your top people must not only be seen to be clean but must pass public scrutiny regarding their personal life.When road blocks are placed in the way of public scrutiny by the powers to be running the government then questions will arise.If they in power are honest, I dont see why they should object to such an inspection.

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observer

Aug 24, 2012 02:48pm

Supreme court can make null and void those laws that are against the basic framework of the constitution. But the recent action of the court to strike down contempt amendment is not a clean act. It is politically motivated. Actually, the contempt clause that was amended by the Parliament was not a part of original constitution but was introduced by Zia ul Haq and company. So, removal of ex-PM was a result of Zia era amendment to the constitution.

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observer

Aug 24, 2012 02:45pm

I dont know why people who never voted for PPP are trying to discredit 'the party of poor people' by taking full prop from the judges. I am sure people who vote for PPP are aware that the present government has under-performed. So, they should take care of performance. Actually, propaganda does not make a huge difference. If 100 voters are sawyed away by blind propaganda against PPP, another 100 are gained on sympathy grounds. So, while AA1's basic point is correct, it is to be kept in mind that over-active judiciary is not exactly rule of the law. What parliament is doing is also kind of over-reaction. No party is totally right or wrong. It is a war of ego. As usual Pakistan is suffering.

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observer

Aug 24, 2012 02:33pm

Look Kharbindersingh, this is a point of principle. It is up to people of Pakistan to throw away those that they think are corrupt. It is not for courts to take duty of electorate in their own hands. What Pakistani courts are doing at present is politically popular (but legally and constitutionally questionable). But are courts a political institution? Why have they become so much news headlines phenomenon?

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Aziz

Aug 24, 2012 02:31pm

UNWISE advisors of President AAZ like Mr. Irfan Qadir and others are fully responsible for creating an atmosphere of conflict/clash between SC and Government. The net result of this created tug of war between pillars of state is that:- one PM has gone home and an other is also on his way home as well. My humble request to HE President AAZ is to get rid of all those unwise advisors who are bent upon creating more problems for President AAZ. Written by Aziz Bhoi

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Zishi

Aug 24, 2012 02:20pm

I fully agree with AA1

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Amjad Wyne

Aug 24, 2012 02:18pm

Throughout the world, individuals - from leaders to workers - are answerable to someone. When accountability is not allowed and no alternative is provided then people come after the throats of their leaders once they are no longer in power.

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SAK

Aug 24, 2012 02:19pm

All equal in the eyes of the law; this is the LAW!! Period.

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RAJA

Aug 24, 2012 02:17pm

Let the Democratic process continue? for who? the people? this country is always in bad shape when their is a Democratic system in place, Army needs to take over cause the "DHANDA" is the only thing our people understand unfortunately. Minus Gen. Zia's rule, every military govt has shown improvement in Pakistan and this includes Musharaff's reign as well.

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S. Tanwir Hasan

Aug 24, 2012 02:04pm

In democracy you have to respect the verdict of people and whoever are the chosen leaders after the vote have the full legitimate right to form government and rule. Judges are not above the government and are servant of government. Judges can only give verdict in a fair trial but the implementation again is the domain of government. So Irfan Qadir is hundred percent right.

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Dr satpal Jabbal

Aug 24, 2012 01:54pm

Come on Mr Qadir, please do not insult the Pakistani public.

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Tariq Mirza

Aug 24, 2012 11:27am

Courts should let the parliament function and democratic process to continue. Looking at the other nations, democratic process is the key for success. If the courts are not careful, then military will find an excuse to take over and that will take us back to square one position. My request to courts and politicians is to be careful otherwise we will return to the same situation and that will be too late.

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Najam A. Najmi

Aug 24, 2012 12:48pm

Br. Mushtaq, Why do you expect people appointed by our politicians and leaders to have that much honesty? If honesty was a virtue or even a consideration, they would not have accepted the position and then defend as they do.

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