The Supreme Court granted another opportunity to former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to appear before it by Thursday in a case regarding appointment of Attaul Haq Qasmi as chairman Pakistan Television. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard a suo motu case regarding the appointment of Attaul Haq Qasmi as chairman PTV.
The Chief Justice questioned why Ishaq Dar has not appeared before the bench though he was summoned and the notice was affixed at his residence. He said Dar despite court's order has not appeared, adding his conduct is disgrace for the highest court of the country.
The attorney general said that the former federal minister for finance has not come, but ex-Finance Secretary Dr Waqar Masood and the former information secretary are present in the court.
The Chief Justice asked Waqar to tell truthfully on whose recommendations Qasmi was paid a high salary. He, however, remained quiet.
The court then directed the attorney general to ask secretary interior to appear before it and adjourned the case for a while.
After one hour when the secretary interior appeared before the bench, the Chief Justice inquired from him how to bring back former finance minister in accordance with the Constitution and law. The Chief Justice asked whether the passport of Dar could be cancelled. He said in his absence the court could initiate contempt of court proceedings against him and declare him a proclaimed offender.
The Chief Justice said they could issue red warrants for Dar, adding every time he is summoned, he sends the same medical certificate.
The Chief Justice asked why Qasmi's counsel had gone out of the court. She should be here before the bench.
The court directed the officials of Ministry of Information to present the record. The Chief Justice directed the secretary interior to sit with secretary foreign affairs to chalk out modalities for bringing back Dar. The case was adjourned for three days.
Comments
Comments are closed.