SC adjourns petition against taking unnecessary loans for indefinite period

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday disposed of a constitutional petition against taking unnecessary foreign loans for an indefinite period, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A two-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, heard the case.

“In 2020, a constitutional petition was filed against taking unnecessary foreign loans,” petitioner’s lawyer Mian Abdul Rauf told the court.

“Respondents in the case—Hafeez Sheikh and Raza Baqir—have fled,” he added.

“Your case is that the Debt Limitation Act 2005 has not been implemented?” the CJP questioned.

“The government violated the Constitution by taking too many loans,” the petitioner’s lawyer said.

“You should go to the high court for the implementation of the act,” Justice Athar Minallah said to the petitioner’s lawyer.

“The country has been suffering from severe economic problems,” he added.

“The point you raised has weight,” the CJP conversed with the petitioner’s lawyer.

“Why did the country take so much debt? Go to the State Bank’s website and see how many loans were taken annually since 1947 to date,” the CJP said to him.

“The country has been faced with a worse economic situation. It is not a good time for the court to hear this kind of petition,” he added.

“Suggest to the federal government what you have to suggest. Do not engage the Supreme Court with economic issues. The court is already engaged in many cases,” Justice Athar Minallah said to the petitioner’s lawyer.

“The federal government is the relevant forum for looking at matters related to the economy,” he added.

“Ask the petitioner, Dr Zubair, to create awareness among the people by writing in newspapers on economic issues,” the CJP said to the petitioner’s lawyer.

The court directed the lawyer to take instructions from the petition and adjourned the hearing of the case for an indefinite period.

 

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori