Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Friday presented himself for accountability and provided information voluntarily about his family-owned business and expenditures incurred on his son's treatment abroad. Lawyer Anwar Dar had moved the Islamabad High Court against Chief Justice LHC Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and alleged that he got a loan from the government for his mills and son's treatment.
In a two-page information issued by the LHC registrar office on the direction of the Chief Justice to the Information Commission, it was stated that information about personal life of public servants cannot be provided under the law, however, the same about was being issued voluntarily for larger public interest.
The textile mill about which the information was sought was sold long ago in 1988 and 1990 and the mill was handed over to the buyer on the order of the Lahore High Court. It stated that Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah had abandoned its directorship long ago before becoming judge of the high court. Since the day he became judge, he neither worked as director of any company nor did he remain engaged in family business, it said.
The chief Justice also rebutted the claim that he ever took loan for his mills or got it waived off, the statement said. It further stated that the CJ asked the Punjab government for treatment of his son Ismail Shah abroad under the law as a medical board suggested his treatment abroad. He said the Punjab government fixed Rs 6.4 millions for his son's treatment. Rs 4.4 million were incurred on his son's treatment while rest of amount Rs 2 million was deposited back to the national exchequer.
Justice Shah also sent information about his latest income tax returns to the information commission. The court had reserved its verdict on maintainability of the petition.