Tag chief justice

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday lamented that the economic situation is not ideal these days and inflation is rising while rupee is depreciating.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Nisar is hearing a case regarding petroleum prices and the imposition of additional taxes.

As the hearing began, Pakistan State Oil’s (PSO) counsel informed the bench, “The prices of petrol and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cannot be controlled too much, however, certain measures can be taken.” To this, Justice Nisar remarked, “These measures have to be taken by the government.”

The chief justice then questioned, “On what basis is the PSO managing director drawing a salary of Rs3.7 million?” However, the PSO counsel informed him, “The MD is appointed by the federal government and the company’s board has no control over it.”

“PSO MD Imranul Haq was appointed in line with regulations and his salary was determined through the market rate,” the counsel added. Justice Nisar then directed that the government informs the bench regarding the basis on which the PSO MD was paid a salary of Rs3.7 million.

“Nobody else in Pakistan must be drawing this much salary,” he added.

Attorney General Khalid Javed told the bench, “He has worked in Engro and the LNG sector.”

Justice Nisar remarked, “The matter regarding PSO MD’s appointment should be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the bureau should inquire into the salary and perks granted to him.”

Further, the attorney general requested for an in-camera briefing on the matter of LNG imports. “It is a sensitive matter and I want to share a lot of information in-camera,” he said. Following this, the bench accepted his request.

ISLAMABAD: Secretariat police on Wednesday arrested former senator Faisal Raza Abidi after he appeared before the Supreme Court.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Khosa heard a contempt case against Abidi earlier today.

During the hearing, the former senator requested the court to adjourn the case till his lawyer returned from Umrah or grant him time to hire a new counsel. Approving Abidi’s request, the bench adjourned the hearing till October 30 and issued a notice to the attorney general in this regard.

However, following his appearance when Abidi left the Supreme Court and was crossing Constitution Avenue to return to his residence, he was arrested by secretariat police.

Police sources said another case was registered on Tuesday night against Abidi which includes charges of defamation. He has been arrested in the case registered by ASI Shaukat Abbasi, sources added.

Earlier on September 21, a case was registered against the former senator for using inappropriate words for the chief justice of Pakistan. The complaint was registered by the apex court’s Public Relations Officer Shahid Hussain Kamboyo in the Secretariat Police Station under Pakistan Penal Code’s sections 228, 500, 505(ii) and 34 along with Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). On September 28, the Sindh government issued approval to the Islamabad police to arrest Abidi.

Abidi served as the Karachi division president of the Pakistan Peoples Party but later stepped down from the post.
Abidi’s arrest in injustice: brother

Speaking to the media following Abidi’s arrest, his brother said, “This is injustice as he appeared before the top court and he had been granted bail earlier in the case.”

His brother further said that there are three cases ongoing against the former senator which pertain to cyber-crime, contempt and another registered in the secretariat police station.

The Supreme Court on Monday, October 8, 2018, ordered Punjab CM Usman Buzdar, former Punjab IGP Kaleem Imam and Ahsan Iqbal Jamil to submit a written apology in a case pertaining to the transfer of Pakpattan DPO.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court resumed hearing a case pertaining to the transfer of former Pakpattan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Gondal on Monday.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo motu notice of the former DPO’s transfer following an alleged altercation with Khawar Maneka — the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife.

As the hearing went under way, the Punjab advocate general (AG) pleaded with the bench to look at the matter ‘from a different perspective’.

In response, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that the facts will remain the same regardless of the perspective.

“The matter was sensitive hence Ahsan Iqbal Jamil spoke with the Punjab chief minister,” the advocate general contended.

To this, the chief justice responded by saying that Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar had not conducted the meeting himself and instead summoned a person, who was not a government official, to do so.

“What kind of language have you and Punjab CM used for Khaliq Dad Lak? You are writing this for an excellent officer,” Justice Nisar said while addressing the Punjab advocate general.

Remarking on the probe into the case, the chief justice said he could order a joint investigation team to investigate the matter. He further noted that the Punjab AG had raised objections of personal nature against the inquiry officer.

“The prime minister has said that Usman Buzdar will continue as the Punjab CM till the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in power. Let the court make it clear; Buzdar will continue as CM only if the court orders the same,” Justice Nisar said.

Further, the top judge expressed his displeasure at the respondents to the case not expressing regret on their actions.

“What exactly changed about the DPO that he was transferred in the mid of the night?” the chief justice remarked.

In response, former Punjab IGP Kaleem Imam expressed regret and sought the court’s forgiveness. “I am sorry for my mistake and leave myself on the mercy of the court,” Imam said.

Responding to Imam’s apology, Justice Nisar directed both him, the Punjab CM and Jamil to submit a written apology to the court. “Use strong words to seek forgiveness,” the chief justice advised.

The Punjab CM along with Jamil and Imam took back their responses to Lak’s report.

“Is this the government that wants to create naya [new] Pakistan?” the chief justice remarked.

All respondents then left the court premises to prepare their written apology letters.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday formed a commission to probe the 2014 Army Public School attack.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the suo motu case of the APS attack.

The commission will be headed by a senior judge of the high court and will submit its report to the top court within six weeks.

Justice Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the case during a trip to Peshawar earlier this year.

In May, the chief justice had ordered formation of a judicial commission on the APS tragedy.

On December 16, 2014, terrorists stormed the army-run school and killed around 150 people, including more than 130 students, in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s history.

The incident shook the country and resulted in the formation of a National Action Plan to stem extremism and terrorism from the country, as well as the creation of military courts to try ‘hardcore’ terrorists.

The heinous attack on schoolchildren followed intensification of the military’s campaign against terrorists of all hue and colour, chasing and wiping them out from the country’s urban centres to far-flung rural areas.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday resumed hearing a petition seeking the suspension of bails granted to two police officers accused in the murder case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa is hearing the petitions. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf, Farhatullah Babar, Mehreen Anwar Raja and other party leaders are present for the hearing.

On August 31, 2017, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi announced the verdict in the Benazir Bhutto murder case and announced 17-year imprisonment for two police officials — City Police Officer (CPO) Saud Aziz and Khurram Shahzad. However, the high court had later granted them bail.

As the hearing began, the petitioner’s counsel, Sardar Latif Khosa, informed the court that his client, Rashida Bibi, has passed away.

To this, the counsel of the police officers requested that the petition be declared ineffective following the death of the petitioner. However, Justice Khosa asked whether the petitioner’s family members had filed a petition and upon being told that Bibi’s daughter had in the last hearing become party to the petition, he rejected the request of the police officers’ lawyer to declare the petition ineffective.

Justice Khosa then asked Bibi’s lawyer to continue with his arguments and questioned on what basis the bails were granted. “Scotland Yard conducted an investigation and bails cannot be granted under the anti-terrorism act nor can Islamabad High Court’s constitutional powers be curbed under Article 199,” he added.

The head of the two-judge bench further remarked, “Benazir Bhutto was to be provided security and the CPO was responsible for it while Saud Aziz deployed the SSP and contingents of police.”

“BB was shot at point-blank range and before landing in Karachi she had named certain people,” he added.

Further, Justice Khosa questioned, “Did the state challenge the bail of the accused?” Responding to him, Latif Khosa said, “The state has challenged their bails and I have also requested the chief justice of Pakistan to fix a date for the hearing of our petition but it has not been fixed even once.”

Latif Khosa further said, “The accused in violation of the law did not even conduct a postmortem. How can they be granted bail when they were sentenced to 17 years in prison by the ATC?”

The petitioner’s lawyer added, “The CPO was involved in the controversy from day one.” Questioning once again how the bail can be granted, he added, “Musharraf is also accused in the case.”

To this, Justice Khosa remarked, “BBC’s documentary report on the murder was a million times better than out investigation reports.”

During its August 2017 verdict, the ATC had also acquitted five suspects — Aitzaz Shah, Sher Zaman, Abdul Rasheed, Rafaqat Hussain and Hasnain Gul.

The ATC had also declared former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf an absconder in the case. The ATC had named Musharraf in the case in February 2011.

Benazir murder case
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairperson and two-time former prime minister, was assassinated in a gun and bomb attack at an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on December 27, 2007.

An FIR over the incident was registered on behalf of the state following which the murder trial of five suspects began in February of 2008. However, once PPP won the 2008 elections, the investigation was handed over to the FIA.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court chief justice on Thursday appointed a monitoring judge to oversee the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to probe into the May 12 carnage.

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar has been appointed to oversee the workings of the JIT probing the carnage.

On September 11, the SHC had ordered the formation of a JIT to probe into the mayhem.

Following the court orders, the Sindh government constituted a JIT on September 28. As per the notification, Karachi Police Chief is the head of the JIT.

The JIT will probe into the various cases regarding the mayhem and apprise the monitoring judge about the progress made after every 15 days.

On May 12, 2007 a major portion of Karachi’s main artery, Shahra-e-Faisal, turned into a battlefield when rival political groups clashed with each other soon after the arrival of the then chief justice of Pakistan. Due to the clashed, the former chief justice did not move ahead from the lounge of the airport and returned to Islamabad without addressing a lawyers’ convention at Sindh High Court.

The thoroughfare was to be used by the procession of the then chief justice, but was made completely inaccessible to commuters as all the intersections were blocked by large containers and trucks.

ISLAMABAD: An inquiry report submitted in the Supreme Court on Wednesday stated that former Pakpattan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Gondal was transferred on the basis of political intervention.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo motu notice of the former DPO’s transfer following an alleged altercation with Khawar Maneka — the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife.

As the hearing began, National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) chief Maher Khaliq Dad Lak submitted an inquiry report which stated that the former Pakpattan DPO’s transfer was done on the basis of influence.

Following this, the chief justice passed remarks on Punjab chief minister’s close friend Ahsan Jameel Gujjar and said, “Why don’t we take up a case against him in the anti-terrorism court.”
DPO Pakpattan case: Punjab CM, former IG tender unconditional apology to SC

“Today, Ahsan Jameel Gujjar is issuing apologies and a day earlier his tone was different,” Justice Nisar added.

The court then ordered that a copy of the report be sent to Punjab CM Usman Buzdar and former Punjab IG Kaleem Imam.

Further, the court summoned a reply from the Punjab CM on the report within three days.

Last month, the chief justice rejected an inquiry report submitted by former Punjab IG Kaleem Imam and directed Khaliq Dad Lak to conduct the inquiry into the matter.
The case

In August, reports of Gondal’s transfer sparked controversy as speculation suggested that the police officer was transferred because of the August 23 altercation between police and Khawar Maneka — the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife.

According to reports, police personnel under Gondal’s watch tried to stop Maneka at a checkpoint for speeding but he did not stop. The police then chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him.

Then Punjab IGP, Imam, soon after the reports, denied that Gondal was transferred under any pressure and said it was done due to his giving misleading statements about misbehaviour by police personnel with a citizen.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfi Bukhari on Wednesday announced that he will donate all of his salaries to the PM-CJP dam fund. Photo: File

ISLAMABAD: Prime minister’s Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfi Bukhari on Wednesday announced that he will donate all of his salaries to the PM-CJP dam fund.

“I will donate all salaries drawn while serving on this position to the PM-CJP Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund,” Bukhari said.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who had announced the fund in July this year, had initiated the donation process by writing a cheque of Rs1 million for the cause during the hearing of the case pertaining to the construction of Kalabagh dam.

Justice Nisar’s donation was the first contribution to the said account, said a statement on the Supreme Court’s website dated July 5, 2018. Since then, several high-profile figures and employees of state institutions have pledged to donate salaries for the cause.

Dam fund

In July, the Supreme Court had issued directives that the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams should start immediately, and appealed to the general public, including Pakistanis residing abroad, to donate for the cause.

The apex court formed a committee under the chairmanship of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) chief to monitor the progress of construction. An account was later opened with the SC’s registrar in which all donations are being collected.

In September, the government’s request to change Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund’s name to ‘PMCJ’ (prime minister chief justice) was accepted by the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, remarked that the Supreme Court will continue issuing red warrants if Pervez Musharraf does not return to Pakistan. Photo: Geo News file

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday remarked that the Supreme Court will continue issuing red warrants if Pervez Musharraf does not return to Pakistan.

The chief justice’s remarks came as he headed a three-member bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), passed by Musharraf in 2007.

As the case’s hearing went under way today, the former president’s counsel Akhtar Shah apprised the court that he had talked to his client on September 27. “Musharraf has medical and security issues but he has promised that he will return,” Shah said.

Further, the defense counsel contended that his client was not accused in the Lal Masjid case. “Musharraf has not been indicted,” Shah said.

Responding to the former president’s lawyer, Justice Nisar said: “I had earlier told you that nobody will arrest Musharraf. He should record his statement in the treason case before a special court.”

The top judge further remarked that the courts could not allow Musharraf to reject their authority. “If Musharraf will continue to stay abroad, we will keep issuing red warrants,” Justice Nisar said.

During the hearing, Shah informed the bench that his client was suffering from an ailment of a serious nature. To this, Justice Nisar said that Musharraf should get his ailment treated. “I too am suffering from a painful backache. We have arrangements for top-of-the-line treatment for Musharraf’s ailment here,” he said.

“Musharraf must avoid any situation where he may have to return to Pakistan in a way that will cause embarrassment,” the judge remarked adding that the former president and Ishaq Dar are both hiding in foreign countries.

Moreover, Justice Nisar said Musharraf will be provided with security no matter where he lands in Pakistan. “We are granting him a protective bail,” he added.

The hearing was then adjourned till October 11.

ISLAMABAD:(Media-92) The Supreme Court on Friday summoned Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan in a petition regarding the imposition of different taxes on gas and petroleum products.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar is hearing a petition regarding taxes on petroleum products.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) special prosecutor Akbar Tarar and Pakistan State Oil’s (PSO) counsel, Mehmood Mirza, appeared before the court.

As the hearing began, PSO’s counsel submitted a report regarding prices of petroleum products before the bench and said the prices are high owing to management and sales affairs.

To this, the chief justice remarked, “There was an unjust increase in the prices of petroleum products. We will refer this matter to NAB.”

Justice Nisar then said, “If Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan is in town call him.”

When the chief justice questioned “where the chief executive officer is who draws Rs3.7 million?”, the PSO counsel responded he has retired.

The NAB special prosecutor then informed court, “During the previous government’s term, a PSO managing director was appointed to benefit one person.”

To this, Justice Nisar remarked, “Call Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ask him why this happened.”

“NAB should go after such cases and leave tehsildars. The nation should know what has happened with them,” he said.

Justice Nisar then asked the NAB special prosecutor about Ahad Cheema, to which Tarar said, “We have prepared cases.”

The chief justice also expressed anger at PSO for hiring a private lawyer and asked Mirza how much fee he is being paid. “State intuitions are sinking in debt but they hire private counsels, PSO should have asked the attorney general to represent it.”