SC seeks complete record of Bukhari's appointment

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the federal government to produce complete record about the appointment of special assistant to Prime Minister Zulfi Bokhari by December 5. The petitioners, Mirza Moeez Baig and Adil Chattah had challenged the appointment of Zulfi Bokhari as special assistant to Prime Minister.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar proceeding with the petition said: "Making appointments on key posts is a national duty and such affairs could not be run on the basis of friendships".
When counsel for Bokhari, Aitzaz Ahsan, read out his client's profile and achievements, the Chief Justice asked him to advise his client Bokhari to keep his anger at home before visiting the court next time. "He can be suspended before leaving this court," warned the Chief Justice and added that Bokhari might be friend of someone but not the Supreme Court.
Bokhari however told the court that he was among top 100 influential Muslims living in European countries. Being an overseas Pakistani businessman, "I can help the government boost business activities," he added.
Aitzaz argued that the Prime Minister had appointed Bokhari in exercise of the discretionary powers. He further stated that a prime minister is supposed to seek advice from his trustworthy people.
Chief Justice Nisar assured Ahsan that there will be no judicial overreach in the case but the discretionary power of the prime minister was not unguided. A prime minister is not supposed to act on personal wish but under the law and the constitution, the CJP further remarked.
The chief justice recalled that the Supreme Court had already ruled in the Jahangir Tareen case that there could be no nepotism in exercise of discretionary powers.
The attorney general argued that the prime minister appointed Bokhari under rules of business. On the point of dual nationality of Bokhari, he said the special assistant was not a member of the parliament.
The chief justice also said that the court intended to see whether such appointments had been made on the basis of friendship or the law. The chief justice directed the government to submit credentials of Bokhari and record showing complete process for his appointment.