Anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood Wednesday twice tendered an unconditional apology as his claims proved to be false but the Supreme Court turned his request down. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, heading a three-member bench which heard the suo motu case, turned down Masood's apology and said: "Time for apology is over. Justice will be done in this case."
The court granted three days to Dr Masood and News One TV channel, which had aired the program, to file a reply in response to inquiry committee's report, while the case will be taken up again on Monday next. During the proceedings, Dr Shahid Masood appearing before the court twice apologized, but Chief Justice Saqib Nisar said the court had given enough opportunity to him but he did not apologize.
At the outset, the Chief Justice addressing Dr Masood said, "Inquiry committee's report has come and whatever you have claimed in your programme is not correct." The Chief Justice said, "I have again watched the programme wherein you [Dr Masood] twice said that Imran Ali, the killer and rapist of minor girl Zainab, has links with the mafia and has 37 bank accounts therefore the Chief Justice must do something and take a suo motu of the issue and provide Imran security." The Chief Justice told him that "in the programme you have stated if my statement proves wrong then hang me."
The Chief Justice asked him, "You had appeared before the court in Islamabad and Lahore and also told media about your claims." Dr Masood in his television show telecast on January 24, 2018 and his media talk on January 25, 2018 outside the apex court alleged that rapist and murderer of minor girl, Zainab, has bank accounts within and outside Pakistan.
During the proceedings, the CJP remarked there was opinion that the programme is not based on truth but if Dr Masood accepts his mistake then he should be pardoned. "However, you insisted to constitute a joint investigation team," he added. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on January 29, 2018 had constituted a three-member inquiry committee, headed by Bashir Memon, Director General Federal Investigation Agency, and comprising Anwar Ali, Joint Director Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Asmatullah Junejo, Assistant Inspector General (Operation Division) Islamabad Police, to investigate of the anchorperson's claims.
The committee submitted its report in the Supreme Court last week, which found no evidence of the allegations levelled by Dr Shahid Masood. During the course of hearing, the Chief Justice asked Dr Masood that they would examine his reply. Dr Masood's counsel Shah Khawar contended that they have not received inquiry committee's report. The lawyer requested the bench to provide the report and said that his client was unaware of legal implications.
Dr Masood provided a document, which contained material about violent child/crime pornography in Kasur. The Chief Justice told him these are not relevant to this case and their focus is on his programme. Upon that Dr Masood said: "I seek apology for it." The Chief Justice said he should accept his blunder and apologize in public then the court would consider it. The case was adjourned until March 12.
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