On Secrets
The OSA gives legal cover to the executive to label anything as secret information and prevent its disclosure. It is irrelevant whether this information may, for example, expose government corruption or misconduct. Insulating the state from accountability and transparency – two hallmarks of democracy.
The Suo Motu’s Integrity Problem
My argument is that the Supreme Court’s power to take suo motu notice, as it is currently practiced, is difficult to justify from either a rule of law perspective, or, from the standards of democratic governance. And for this reason, I think it is time we gave serious consideration to arguments concerning the merits of judicial restraint and a reform of the powers of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.