A writ has been filed in the High Court challenging the President's power to pardon convicted convicts without any policy.
On Monday (January 20), Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Ishrat Hasan filed the writ in public interest.
The writ has sought directions to issue a rule asking why the President's power to pardon convicted convicts without any policy would not be unconstitutional. The writ also requested that a policy be made for the exercise of the President's power to pardon.
The writ petition states that Article 49 of the Constitution gives the President the power to pardon. This power to pardon is free, which has no policy. There is no policy on who is pardoned and on what basis which is in conflict with Articles 7, 27, 31 and 32 of the Constitution. Many convicted convicts have already been pardoned due to misuse of this power. Among them is Joseph, the brother of the former army chief, Aslam Fakir.
Lawyer Ishrat Hasan said, year after year, the power of the President to grant pardons has been grossly misused. During the previous government, the President abused his power and pardoned convicted murderers. As a result, the general public is apprehensive about getting justice. There is frustration about getting justice. To prevent this misuse of power, it is necessary to formulate policies.
The Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Parliamentary Secretary and the Secretary of the President's Office have been made respondents in the writ petition.