Chief Justice of Pakistan on Saturday ordered the audit of Pakistan Railways by A.F. Ferguson & Co. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar hearing a suo motu notice into losses of Railway rejected the objection of railways minister, saying that "audits are only conducted of the performance of those who are in power".
Earlier, the Chief Justice showed annoyance over the absence of the railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and remarked, "Who gave him exemption from appearing in the court?"
At this railway secretary replied that the minister had not been summoned by the court. The chief justice however directed to call the minister. He expressed his displeasure when Khawaja Saad Rafiqaddressed him as "an honourable CJ", asking him to omit word "honourable". "There is hell of contradiction in your attitude shown and words uttered inside and outside the court room," the CJP said angrily.
The CJP said that he will definitely shower praise over the railways if no irregularities were found in the audit report, adding that the SC is trying to introduce a system under which no one could work whimsically. The Chief Justice of Pakistan also directed the heads of 56 public companies to draw salaries as per their pay scales.
Hearing a suo motu notice about alleged corruption in 56 companies, the Chief Justice remarked that the heads of the companies must draw salaries as per their respective civil servant roles, adding that the heads should return the amount that they had withdrawn in access of their original pay scales.
"Billions of rupees were spent but there is not a single drop of water available for people," the CJP remarked. Appearing before the court, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director-General Saleem Shahzad informed the court that the Punjab government didn't cooperate with the bureau over records of companies, adding that 17 out of 56 companies have yet submitted their records.
Responding to this, the CJP remarked, "don't Worry, all the records will be provided to NAB". The court then ordered the 17 companies to submit their records to the bureau within three days.
The chief justice also summoned a report over development in a case within one week. During the course of hearing, the court also snubbed DG NAB for making excessive use of power when chief secretary Punjab complained about rude attitude of NAB officials towards the government officers during investigations.
"You have no power to ridicule or insult an individual," the bench told the DG, warning him to remain in the four corners of law otherwise the court would take action against him.
Hearing a suo motu notice taken against the use of luxury vehicles by government officials, the CJP questioned the secretary over the state of affairs. Chief Secretary Punjab informed the court that the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali has been provided a vehicle worth Rs 24 million.
He also informed the court that the said vehicle is also being converted into a bullet-proof one. "How can I take steps regarding others if I don't clean my own institution?" the CJP questioned. The Secretary informed the court that the concerned boards take the decisions of providing such vehicles.
The secretary also informed the court that more than two judges of the high courts are given bullet-proof vehicles. "According to the law, high court's CJ is allowed to keep an 1800 cc car but not a bullet-proof one," he told the bench. The CJP then sought details of the number of government officers who possess Land Cruisers.
The Supreme Court hearing suo motu case about appointment of ambassador of World Trade Organization (WTO) stopped Dr Tauqir Shah, who was appointed Pakistan's Ambassador to (WTO), from travelling abroad. Chief Justice remarked that the former secretary cannot travel abroad without court's permission.
The Chief Justice questioned how Tauqir Shah was appointed to WTO when his name was mentioned in the Model Town killings case and summoned him on next date of hearing. Tauqir Shah was reportedly removed from the post of CM Punjab's principal secretary after the Model Town incident. Soon after, the federal government had appointed him as WTO ambassador. The decision was opposed by Federal Secretary for Trade Arbab Shahzad but the summary for appointment was still forwarded.
Chief Justice Pakistan also ordered the arrest of a quack who operated upon a woman of Jhang. Superintendent Jhang Police said the suspects worked at Dr Rafiq Ahmed's clinic who is registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Association.
"The suspects have claimed that Dr Rafiq conducted the operation and they were only giving first-aid," police officials told the bench. Ordering their arrest and registration of a case against them, the CJP summoned Dr Rafiq to next hearing.
Earlier, the chief justice of Pakistan also visited a psychiatric hospital and Services hospital in the city after he received complaints of mismanagement at the facility. The hospital visit was planned over the case of a death row woman convict reportedly suffering from some serious mental issues. While hearing the case, the chief justice ordered that she must be shifted to psychiatric facility from prison.
The chief justice also visited the hospital's kitchen during his visit and expressed in reservations over the hygiene conditions. A woman present at the psychiatric hospital told the chief justice there was a shortage of medicines at the facility. Over this, an explanation was sought from Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.
Chief Justice Pakistan hearing a complaint of a female officer Iram Shehzadi against her transfer orders directed Chief Secretary to transfer Director General Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA) Captain Zafar, to any other department and observed that "insulting behavior with females would not be tolerated at any cost". Hearing a man's plea regarding abduction and torture of his son allegedly by MNA Afzal Khokhar, the top judge directed a police officer to convey to the MNA that no hooliganism would be tolerated.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar also addressed the bar members. Addressing a ceremony at Supreme Court Bar Association, CJP said, "We are doing the work that government should do."
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