"\u003chtml xmlns:o=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\"\r\nxmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\"\r\nxmlns:st1=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\"\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003chead\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; charset=windows-1252\"\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=ProgId content=Word.Document\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=Generator content=\"Microsoft Word 11\"\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=Originator content=\"Microsoft Word 11\"\u003e\r\n\u003clink rel=File-List href=\"2012J14_files/filelist.xml\"\u003e\r\n\u003ctitle\u003ePOWERS UNDER ORDER VII, RULE 11, C\u003c/title\u003e\r\n\u003co:SmartTagType namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"\r\n name=\"place\"/\u003e\r\n\u003co:SmartTagType namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"\r\n name=\"country-region\"/\u003e\r\n\u003co:SmartTagType namespaceuri=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\"\r\n name=\"City\"/\u003e\r\n\u003c!--[if gte mso 9]\u003e\u003cxml\u003e\r\n \u003co:DocumentProperties\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Author\u003eAdil Hafeez\u003c/o:Author\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Template\u003eNormal\u003c/o:Template\u003e\r\n  \u003co:LastAuthor\u003eAdil Hafeez\u003c/o:LastAuthor\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Revision\u003e2\u003c/o:Revision\u003e\r\n  \u003co:TotalTime\u003e0\u003c/o:TotalTime\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Created\u003e2013-01-19T10:46:00Z\u003c/o:Created\u003e\r\n  \u003co:LastSaved\u003e2013-01-19T10:46:00Z\u003c/o:LastSaved\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Pages\u003e1\u003c/o:Pages\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Words\u003e3235\u003c/o:Words\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Characters\u003e18440\u003c/o:Characters\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Company\u003eOratier\u003c/o:Company\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Lines\u003e153\u003c/o:Lines\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Paragraphs\u003e43\u003c/o:Paragraphs\u003e\r\n  \u003co:CharactersWithSpaces\u003e21632\u003c/o:CharactersWithSpaces\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Version\u003e11.5606\u003c/o:Version\u003e\r\n 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style=\u0027text-align:center\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e: THE IMMUNITY CLAUSE\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eBy\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:-.2pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:-.2pt\u0027\u003eMuqtedir Akhtar Shabir \u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:-.2pt\u0027\u003eAdvocate, Supreme Court of \u003cst1:place w:st=\"on\"\u003e\u003cst1:country-region\r\n w:st=\"on\"\u003ePakistan\u003c/st1:country-region\u003e\u003c/st1:place\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eToday\r\nwe have made an effort to discuss the immunity clause provided in the\r\nConstitution. \u003cspan class=GramE\u003ei.e\u003c/span\u003e. Article 248 of the Constitution.\r\nThe question is whether the ruling class of the country enjoy the absolute\r\nimmunity from the \u003cspan class=GramE\u003erigor \u003csub\u003e,\u003c/sub\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:\r\n0pt\u0027\u003eof\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003elaw, are they\r\nabove the law itself? I am proud to say that no one is above the law in this\r\ncountry. We must first understand that \u003cst1:place w:st=\"on\"\u003e\u003cst1:country-region\r\n w:st=\"on\"\u003ePakistan\u003c/st1:country-region\u003e\u003c/st1:place\u003e is an Islamic Republic and\r\nwhen we are interpreting the provisions of the Constitution we must keep these\r\nvery basic principles in our mind. Then only, we will be able to properly\r\ninterpret and understand the Constitution. We are a democratic country and not\r\nthe kingdom or the dictatorship. The democracy and absolute immunity cannot be\r\nsaid in a same breath under democratic system.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIf this is so than why is it we speak of immunities\r\nto the ruling elite of our country and what is the purpose of immunity clause.\r\nI.e. Article 248 in our Constitution. Article 248 is reproduced below; we shall\r\ndiscuss the nature of immunities and the purpose for which they are made part\r\nof the constitution.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eNow we shall see the most talked about immunity\r\nclause in our Constitution i.e. Art. 248. Which reads as under\u003cspan\r\nclass=GramE\u003e:\u0026#8209;\u003c/span\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e248. Protection to President, Governor, Minister,\r\netc. (1) The President, a Governor, the Prime Minister, a Federal Minister, a\r\nMinister of State, the Chief Minister and a Provincial Minister shall not he\r\nanswerable to any court for the exercise of powers and performance of functions\r\nof their respective offices or for any act done or purported to be done in the\r\nexercise of those powers and performance of those functions:\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eProvided that nothing in this clause shall be\r\nconstrued as restricting the right of any person to bring appropriate\r\nproceedings against the Federation or a Province \u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e(2) No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be\r\ninstituted or continued against the President or a Governor \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.3pt\u0027\u003ein \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eany\r\ncourt during his term of office.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e(3) No process for the arrest or imprisonment of\r\nthe President or a Governor shall issue from any court during his term of\r\noffice.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e(4) No civil proceedings in which relief is claimed\r\nagainst the President or a Governor shall be instituted during his term of\r\noffice in respect of anything done by or not done by him in his personal\r\ncapacity whether before or after he enters upon his office unless, at least\r\nsixty days before the proceedings are instituted, notice in writing has been\r\ndelivered to him, or sent to him in the manner-prescribed by law, stating the\r\nnature of the proceedings, the cause of action, the name, description and place\r\nof residence of the party by whom the proceedings are to be instituted and the\r\nrelief which the party claims.\u0026quot;\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIt\r\nis important to mention here that similar kind of protection and immunity\r\nclause is provided in an Indian Constitution. Similar kinds of immunities are\r\nalso given in various countries. Is such kind of provisions are incorporated to\r\nprotect the ruling elite or there is some other purpose \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.3pt\u0027\u003efor \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003esuch\r\nimmunity clauses?\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eWe\r\nshall now try to understand the immunity clause in light of Constitution\r\nprovisions and the courts judgments. The immunity clause shall not be read in\r\nisolation we shall before interpreting the immunity clause must understand the\r\nintent of these provisions and scheme of our Constitution before we shall draw\r\nany conclusion. The President, Governors, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers,\r\nMinisters do not enjoy the absolute immunity under our Constitution. Under\r\ncertain condition post of the ruling elite has been protected but their\r\npersonality and their decision are not made immune from the eye of law. In fact\r\nthey are more answerable to the law and people of \u003cst1:place w:st=\"on\"\u003e\u003cst1:country-region\r\n w:st=\"on\"\u003ePakistan\u003c/st1:country-region\u003e\u003c/st1:place\u003e under the Constitution. We\r\nmust understand one thing, higher the post, greater the responsibility. We\r\nshall now see why there is no absolute immunity to any one in our Constitution.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eThe\r\nConstitution of any country is a social contract between the people of that\r\ncountry wherein they decide the rules and regulation for governing their\r\ncountry. If we see preamble of our Constitution we shall see that we the people\r\nof Pakistan have sworn our allegiance to Almighty Allah and have declared in\r\nour Constitution that sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Allah\r\nAlmighty alone and the authority which He has delegated to the State of\r\nPakistan, through its people for being exercised with the limits prescribed\u003csup\u003e.\u003c/sup\u003e\r\n\u003cspan class=GramE\u003eby\u003c/span\u003e HIM is a sacred trust. Our Constitution also\r\nguarantees fundamental rights including equality of status, equality of\r\nopportunity before law, social, economic and political justice, and freedom of\r\ntaught, expression, belief, faith worship and association. Another basic\r\nfeature of our Constitution is that it ensures the \u003cst1:place w:st=\"on\"\u003e\u003cst1:City\r\n w:st=\"on\"\u003eIndependence\u003c/st1:City\u003e\u003c/st1:place\u003e of judiciary and guarantees rule\r\nof law.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003ePreamble\r\nof our Constitution is made part of the Constitution by incorporating Article\r\n2-A in our Constitution We have already briefly discussed Article 2-A of the\r\nConstitution, which declares the Almighty Allah is sovereign and the authority\r\nwhich He has delegated to the State of Pakistan, is being exercised through its\r\npeople within the limits prescribed by Him. Having said that we_ must recollect\r\nthe era of Caliphs, how they being the head of the Muslim.Ummah were always\r\nanswerable to the people of Ummah and the courts. Khalifa Umer was made\r\naccountable in a public meeting by an ordinary person, who inquired from him\r\nabout his clothing i.e. He was a large person and his clothing took more cloth\r\nthan an ordinary heighted person. He was inquired by an ordinary person in an\r\nopen public meeting. How he has managed to stitch a suit from a cloth, whereas\r\nthe cloth given to him was equal to the cloth given to other people of Ummah\r\nand it was not possible to stitch a suit of a person of such large physique?\r\nThe Khalifa held himself responsible before the Ummah and asked his son to\r\nanswer the question. His son said that I have gifted my share of cloth to my\r\nfather and it is only then that he has managed to stitch his suit. We must understand\r\nthat accountability of the responsible is the basic essence of the Islamic\r\nState. Higher the post, more the responsibility\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eAnother\r\nbasic thing we must understand that we have democracy in our country, we are\r\nnot a kingdom or dictatorship, being a democracy itself require the\r\naccountability of the responsible. And no one can claim to be above the law.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eArticle\r\n4 of our Constitution states that to enjoy the protection of law and to be\r\ntreated in accordance with.law is inalienable right of every citizen, read with\r\nArticles 5 and 25 of the Constitution which endorses that obedience to the\r\nConstitution and law is the inviolable obligation of every citizen wherever he\r\nmay be and of every other person for time being within Pakistan. Article 25 of\r\nthe constitution also endorses this position and states that all citizens are\r\nequal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eNow\r\nwe shall see that becoming a member of the elite ruling class of the country,\r\ni.e. to qualify as a member of parliament much more responsibility is put on a\r\ncandidate aspiring to become the leader of this country. Article 62 of the\r\nConstitution states that a person shall not be qualified to be elected or\r\nchosen as a member of Parliament unless he has a good character and he is not\r\ncommonly known as one who violates \u003c/span\u003eIslamic injunctions; he has adequate\r\nknowledge of Islamic teachings and practices obligatory duties prescribed by\r\nIslam as well as abstains from major sins ; he is sagacious, righteous and\r\nnon-profligate, honest and amen; he has not, after the establishment of\r\nPakistan, worked against the integrity of the country or opposed the ideology\r\nof Pakistan. Article 63 enumerates the\u0026quot; clause which disqualifies a person\r\nfrom membership of parliament.\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eHaving discussed the scheme of\r\nour Constitution, now we address the question of immunity to the President,\r\nPrime Minister, Governors, \u003cspan class=GramE\u003eMinisters\u003c/span\u003e. One cannot be\r\nelected and nominated as President, Governor, Prime Minister, Minister unless\r\nthey cross this basic qualification clause given in Article 62 of the\r\nConstitution and they cannot remain on the seat if they are disqualified by the\r\nprovisions mention in clause 63. When the criteria of choosing the\r\nrepresentative is so high than it is clear that no provision in the Constitution\r\nwill be of such a nature which gives absolute immunity to any person in the\r\ncountry.\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eIf this is the position in our\r\nConstitution than, what is the purpose of incorporating Article 248 in our\r\nConstitution and how far the immunity provided in this clause protect a person?\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eFirst of all it is very clear\r\nfrom the plain reading of the Article 248, that the Prime Minister and\r\nMinisters .are not immune from the civil liability .for the acts done and not\r\ndone in their private capacity. However the civil proceeding can be brought\r\nagainst the President and the Governors for things done or not done by him in\r\nhis personal capacity by first giving them sixty days notice in advance before\r\nthe proceedings are instituted. The President, Governor, the Prime Minister, a Federal\r\nMinister, the Chief Minister and Provincial Minister have been declared under\r\nArticle 248 immune from civil liability for performance of any power or\r\nfunction in their official capacity. However, if necessary the federation or a\r\nprovince, as the case may be, can be sued by the aggrieved person. The reason\r\n.behind this partial immunity from civil litigation is that when such persons\r\nare functioning under official capacity they are functioning on behalf of\r\nfederation or province. If any person is aggrieved by any of the act done in\r\nperformance of official capacity, the federation or province is answerable and\r\nby law the federation or province can be made party to the civil proceeding\r\nthrough its concerned secretaries. We shall see in following judgments that\r\nwhen elite performing their official functions exceeded their prescribed\r\nlimits, courts have allowed them to be made party to the proceeding in their\r\nprivate capacity and have not extended them immunity in such case and held them\r\nresponsible.\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eWe\r\nshall discuss the case-law on civil immunity. The privilege or immunity is not\r\nabsolute even in performance of their official functions. Supreme Court held in\r\na case reported in PLD 1990 SC 1092, that where the allegation against the\r\nprotected person (minister) is one of mala fide of fact, he has to be\r\npersonally impleaded in the case. It is clear from this when such person acts\r\nmala fide then he is not immune, even though he is performing his official\r\nfunctions.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIn\r\nanother case reported in 2004 MLD 976, health minister relaxed some rules and\r\ngranted permission to a person to sit in the examination. Case was brought\r\nagainst him. Immunity was claimed by the Minister, court held, for application\r\nof Article 248 of the Constitution, it was necessary to prove that the act done\r\nby the health Minister was in exercise of power conferred by some law and in\r\nrelaxation to performance of those functions. Minister was found to have no\r\npower to allow relaxation and his orders regarding the same were declared\r\nillegal.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIt\r\nis also held by Supreme Court in case reported in PLD 1976 SC 315 that\r\nprotection contained in Article is extended to a person of the President, a\r\nGovernor, Prime Minister etc. not to any action taken or any order passed by\r\nthem,\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eSupreme\r\nCourt held in another judgment reported in PLD 1975 SC 383, the immunity\r\nprovisions must, in accordance with accepted principle of interpretation to be\r\nconstrued strictly and unless persons claiming the immunity comes strictly\r\nwithin the terms of the provisions granting the immunity, the immunity cannot\r\nbe extended. The immunity is in nature of an exception to the general rules\r\nthat no one is above the law.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIn\r\nanother case Supreme Court allowed impleading of President Prevaz Musharaf as a\r\nparty to the Supreme Court proceeding and no immunity was extended to the\r\nPresident in a case reported in PLD 2010 SC 61. In this case the action of the\r\nPresident was under challenge, wherein it was alleged that the President of\r\nPakistan summoned the Chief Justice of Pakistan to the army house/president\r\ncamp office; the Chief Justice was detained there for 5 hours and attempts were\r\nmade to secure the resignation of the Chief Justice of Pakistan under duress\r\nand through coercion. When the petition was brought against the President, and\r\nimmunity was claimed, the Supreme Court of Pakistan did not extend the\r\nprotection and held that impleading of the President as a party to the\r\nproceeding was in fact imperative. .\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eAll\r\nthe above cases were of civil nature, or in a writ jurisdiction or in a\r\njurisdiction available to the Supreme Court under Article 184(3) of the\r\nConstitution. We have observed through different judgments that although the\r\noffice of the President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers etc., may be immune\r\nfrom the civil liability yet their private actions or their official action\r\ndone with mala fide intention or without force of law are not immune from the\r\ncivil liability. We have also seen in the above referred judgments that in\r\ncertain cases the courts have lifted this veil of protection and allowed the\r\nPresident and Ministers to be impleaded as a party to the court proceeding. One\r\nprime example is seen recently wherein the present President has been impleaded\r\nas a party in a Supreme Court proceeding in \u0026quot;memogate\u0026quot; scandal and he\r\nhas been asked to file a reply by the Supreme. Court of Pakistan.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eNow\r\nwe shall discuss the contempt proceeding which are neither pure civil nor\r\ncriminal proceeding. Contempt proceeding have been declared as a species of its\r\nown nature of proceeding. Supreme Court has held in PLD 1975 SC 383(p.393) with\r\nrespect to the impunity to the Prime Minister against the contempt proceeding \u003c/span\u003eas\r\n\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eunder, \u0026quot;It is not easy to define the\r\nexact scope of Prime Minister power and functions, but this much is certain\r\nthat his powers and functions are derived from. \u003cspan class=GramE\u003ethe\u003c/span\u003e\r\nConstitution. Hence, since neither the Constitution nor any law possibly\r\nauthorizes him to commit a criminal act or to do anything which is contrary to\r\nlaw, the immunity cannot extend to illegal or unconstitutional acts. Even a\r\nPrime Minister is under clause (2) of Article 5 of the Constitution, bound to\r\nobey the Constitution and law as that is basic obligation of every citizen. The\r\nscope of the powers and functions of a Prime Minister cannot possibly extend to\r\nthe committing of contempt of Court which is punishable under the Constitution\r\nitself, and therefore, by necessary implication prohibited.\u0026quot;\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIf\r\nevery citizen of the country is to obey the Constitution then it may be held\r\nthat the even the President of Pakistan may not enjoy the immunity from the\r\ncontempt proceedings.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eWe\r\nshall now discuss the immunity to the President, Governors, Prime Ministers\r\netc. from the criminal proceeding. The Article 248 does not speak of any\r\nimmunity to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister \u003cspan class=GramE\u003eetc\u003c/span\u003e.\r\nfrom the criminal proceedings. Thus is clear that Prime Minister and the\r\nMinister do not enjoy any immunity from the criminal proceeding. Clause (1) of\r\nArticle 248 states that the President, a Governor, the Prime Minister, a\r\nFederal Minister, a Minister of State, the Chief Minister and a Provincial\r\nMinister shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of powers and\r\nperformance of functions of their respective offices\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:\r\n1\u0027\u003e          \u003c/span\u003eor for any act done or purported to be done in the exercise\r\nof those powers and performance of those functions:\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIt\r\nis clear from the plain reading that immunity may be partially extended to the\r\nPrime Minister as against the civil proceeding wherein he is performing\r\nfunctions in respect of his office but in no case extended to illegal acts or\r\ncrimes committed by the Prime Minister, Chief Minister or Ministers. For this\r\nvery purpose the accountability laws are made for the accountability of the\r\npersons holding official positions.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eNow\r\nwe shall discuss the most discussed provisions of the law now a days i.e.\r\nwhether the President or Governor of \u003cst1:place w:st=\"on\"\u003e\u003cst1:country-region\r\n w:st=\"on\"\u003ePakistan\u003c/st1:country-region\u003e\u003c/st1:place\u003e enjoys the complete\r\nimmunity in criminal proceedings? The relevant provisions are reproduced below:\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eArticle\r\n248(2) No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued\r\nagainst the President or a Governor in any court during his term of office.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eArticle\r\n248(3) No process for the arrest or imprisonment of the President or a Governor\r\nshall issue from any court during his term of office.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eThere\r\nare different arguments advanced to interpret this provisions, some of them are\r\ndiscussed below. These provisions cannot be interpreted in isolation. To\r\ndiscuss these provisions we shall see the intent of the legislators for\r\nincorporating this provision in the Constitution and also understand these provisions\r\nunder the scheme of our Constitution. The intent to incorporate these\r\nprovisions is to protect the post and not the person. Our Constitution is\r\nIslamic in character, and it declares that every citizen has to abide by the\r\nConstitution and naturally the law of the country. It throws more\r\nresponsibility on the public representative. Naturally by incorporating the\r\nimmunity clause, the intent of the legislators cannot be to protect the crime\r\nbut these provisions are incorporated for a purpose that is to protect the\r\nPresident, Prime Minister etc. from any legal consequences while performing\r\ntheir official duty and \u003c/span\u003eby \u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eno means\r\nare such immunity clauses incorporated to foster the illegal orders, or crimes.\r\nWe should understand that the intent and purpose of incorporating such clauses\r\nshould be noble.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eWe\r\nshall see it from other angle. Constitution places very strict qualification\r\nclauses for a person seeking to be elected as a representative to the\r\nparliament. Which require a citizen of the country to be amen, pious, and a\r\nperson who follows the injunctions of Islam? And we also know that no one can\r\nbecome a President of Pakistan unless he qualifies to be a member of the\r\nparliament. If a person cannot be elected \u003c/span\u003eas \u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:\r\n.1pt\u0027\u003ea member of the parliament then intent of incorporating immunity\r\nprovisions are not to protect the crime. The President being the citizen of the\r\ncountry is as much liable to follow the law as every other citizen of the\r\ncountry.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eIf\r\nthis is so then what is the purpose of inserting clauses (2) and (3) of Article\u003csub\u003e.\u003c/sub\u003e248\r\nin the Constitution? The only reason for this is that President is the symbol\r\nof unity, head of State, commander in chief of the country and his in role in\r\nthe Constitution is of such nature that he acts on the advice of the Prime\r\nMinister and Ministers. The action taken by the President in official capacity,\r\nare taken on the advice of either prime minister or the minister. He being\r\nsignatory to the officials orders cannot be held liable and called in a\r\ncriminal proceeding initiated for acting in his official capacity. Whereas, no\r\nsuch immunity is extended to the Prime Minister or Minister under clauses (2)\r\nand (3) of Article 248\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eWe\r\nshall discuss a situation wherein president acting on the advice of Prime\r\nMinister or Minister Order an armed operation against the mutiny or for\r\nrestoring law and order in the country or declares a war against any country\r\nenemy. And during such operations or action some innocent persons are killed.\r\nNow any of relative of innocent killed person wants to bring the criminal case\r\nagainst the State or officials or the President or a Governor for ordering such\r\naction. Is the President held liable in criminal jurisdiction for such acts\r\nbecause he actually authorized such operation? The law requires everyone to\r\nabide by the law and every citizen is bound to show obedience to the\r\nConstitution and follow the injunctions of Islam, the argument is made that the\r\nprotection given under these clauses is only limited to the action taken in\r\nofficial capacity and not for the private acts or crime committed by person\r\nholding such privilege and prestigious position. The intents and the scheme of\r\nthe law and Constitution are not to give licence to commit crimes but by\r\nholding the highest positions of the country such persons are expected to be\r\namen, sagacious and law abiding etc. Holding such position as President,\r\nGovernors, and the person has to act more responsible and in legal and in\r\nconstitutional manner than any other citizen. The law in fact throws more\r\nresponsibility on elite of the country than an ordinary citizen.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eAnother\r\nargument advanced is that, should the President position commands that no\r\naction whatsoever, whether committed in official capacity or in person be\r\nimmune from the criminal jurisdiction during his tenure, of his office? And\r\nPresident or Governor enjoys absolute immunity from criminal cases for actions\r\nwhen done in official capacity or in personal capacity? This question is yet to\r\nbe decided by the courts. Wait and see.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eAnother\r\nargument is that although immune from initiation of continuation of a case\r\nagainst them, the President and the Governor are not immune from investigation\r\nof that crime and the case can be initiated against them after their tenure.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eThis\r\nquestion is yet to be decided by the courts. And this may be decided in a\r\ncontempt proceeding against the Prime Minister by the Supreme Court of\r\nPakistan. Wait and see.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003eThe\r\nupshot of the discussion is immunity clause in the constitution are there for a\r\nreason and that is to assist the person holding highest post of the country for\r\nsmooth running of their official function done in good faith and not to protect\r\nillegal \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027letter-spacing:2.05pt\u0027\u003eor\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\r\nstyle=\u0027letter-spacing:.1pt\u0027\u003e unconstitutional or criminal or personal civil\r\nacts.\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/body\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/html\u003e\r\n"