The Supreme Court (SC) has hinted at issuing contempt notice to commissioner and district commissioner officer (DCO) Rawalpindi for razing Pakistan Girls Guide Association (PGGA) hostel's walls in disregard of its order.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Wednesday heard contempt of court petition of Nafisa Sikander Malhi, Provincial Commissioner of PGGA, against Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid, MNA Rashid Shafique and DCO Muhammad Ali Randhawa for disregarding Supreme Court order dated 19-11-18.
Former Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar taking suo motu notice of interference with and non-renewal of the leasehold rights of the PGGA with respect to various properties, including the PGGA hostel at Asghar Mall Road, Rawalpindi, on 19-11-18 had passed the order, "The property will not be taken over by any department or entity for any reason or under any circumstance."
The petitioner said, however, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid and his nephew MNA Rashid Shafiq in willful disregard and disobedience of the apex court order are pressurising the DCO, Rawalpindi to evict the PGGA from the property.
In pursuant of the court order, the commissioner and the DCO, Rawalpindi, appeared before a three-judge bench. Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed expressing concern inquired from the commissioner and the DCO whether they could read court order in English. "Why not we issue contempt of court notice to you," he added.
The DCO replied that he had not committed any contempt. Justice Azmat remarked that Girls' hostel walls were demolished. The DC replied that he had not issued any order regarding the matter. Justice Ijazul Ahsan forbade him to tell lie because assistant commissioner was present when walls were razed.
Ayesha Hamid informed that they are guilty of lying before the court.
Justice Azmat questioned whether the evil spirit had razed the wall if he had not given order. He asked him if he is not competent to hold this post then it is better to quit. The DCO informed that he was in Lahore when this happened. Justice Azmat remarked if Lahore is in Mars, and said they will issue contempt notice and he will go to Adiala Jail straight from this court. The DCO then tendered unconditional apology. Ayesha Hamid said that on the instructions of Sheikh Rasheed, the local administration bulldozed the walls.
The additional advocate general Punjab informed that the walls have been reconstructed and gas connection would be restored by Wednesday evening. He requested the bench to show mercy and accept the unconditional apology of the DCO.
Justice Ijaz said that in order to please someone, the court order was violated. The commissioner Rawalpindi said that he has been observing fast, adding he has not issued any order regarding the matter. Justice Azmat forbade him to tell (fake) stories to the court.
The hearing was adjourned as former Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf fainted. He was in the court to represent Shehbaz Sharif in NAB appeal against the Lahore High Court, which had granted bail to the former CM. He was immediately shifted to the hospital.
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