ISLAMABAD, MARCH 20: Pakistan Supreme Court (SC) has expressed its strong reservation against an anti-defection law introduced by the Nawaz Sharif Government last year, saying it could be misused as it provides absolute powers to the political leaders.``Sharif may be a nice person but the 14th amendment (anti-defection law) could be misused by any future PM as long as the provisions remain in the Constitution,'' observed Chief Justice Ajmal Mian. Mian is heading a seven-member Bench hearing petitions challenging the law. As per the new law, any member objecting to any declared policy of the party would face disqualification from the National Assembly, the lower House of Parliament.
The party leader was given absolute power under it to recommend disqualification of any member. During the course of argument, Justice Kazi asked, ``What kind of Assembly we would have in future if leaders of parties are given so much power.''
Justice Mamoon Kazi, another member of the Bench, noted, ``We have to see whetherthe anti-defection law was introduced to check defection and floor crossing or it is a wolf in garb of a sheep.''
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
