There Should Be No Immunity In Criminal Case; President Desires

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Nov, 2018 ) :President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday said he had never claimed the presidential immunity in a pending case against him related to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's sit-in of 2014, though he personally desired there should be no immunity in a criminal case.

In an interview with a private television channel, he said during the hearing of a case against him, his lawyer had told the court that he wanted to pursue the case as the allegations leveled in the case were baseless.

However, he said the judge was bound by Article 248 (2) of the Constitution and suspended the proceedings against him.

Discussing the recent protest by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, the president called for revival of Council of Islamic Ideology as a strong body to discuss the new narratives of islam like Namoos-e-Risalat.

He believed that Namoos-e-Risalat was part of everyone's faith but burning or damaging people's properties was contrary to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). However, he said during his interactions with the party leaders, he had advised to avoid the bloodshed.

Regarding Dr Aafia issue, he said being a president he could raise the issue with US authorities during any interaction with them and said strong efforts had to be made in this regard.

Responding to the criticism on his protocol in Quetta, he said he would now write to the provinces to keep the motorcade as short as required by security.

He said under Article 46, the law ministry apprised him about the pending legislation.

He told the interviewee that in order to discourage the practice of depriving women of their right in inheritance, he said a landmark bill was about to be tabled before the parliament which would provide for automatic transfer of property to the legal heirs as per the family record with the NADRA.

He said in future, he would be sitting in his chamber at the Parliament House to interact with the parliamentarians from all parties.

To a query, he said since his college age, he had been fighting against corruption.

He said pursuing the government's austerity drive, he opted to reside in half a floor of five-storey presidency.

He said the presidency had started arranging students' visits to the building. He said, on Monday, the First Lady had scheduled a ceremony in connection with Miladun-Nabi where the orphan children from Sweet Homes had been invited.

Moreover, an exhibition would be held to display the works of renowned artist Sadequain at the presidency to ensure building's use for the public.

To a question, he said he had been interacting with BNP Mengal leaders and discussed the issue of missing persons.

He said a major water crisis was looming over Quetta and he had suggested the water resources minister to make arrangements for treatment of sewage water.

The president said the school, he had adopted in Karachi, was performing well as the strength had swelled to 1,300 students. He said, during his visit to National Defence University, the administration had agreed to open its campus in Quetta.

President Alvi said he wanted to champion the issues of water shortage, prevention of diseases, cleanliness, tree plantation and fisheries