Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa said on Thursday that propaganda had been unleashed against the Supreme Court (SC) judges by greasing the palms of some media personnel, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
During the hearing of the case of removal of the Wildlife Department chairperson from the post and placing the National Park under the Ministry of Interior’s control, the CJP dared those who indulged in the character assassination of judges to come to the court and speak in front of him. “We will answer all points you will raise.”
“The question is, why is the apex court being maligned? Everybody in the country is following an agenda,” he said.
“Why should not the court indict you?” he asked the Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal.
He asked him to tell who was responsible for the issuance of the notification in the light of which the Wildlife Department was placed under the interior ministry’s control.
The secretary replied that he had no idea. “I think it was done on the instructions of the prime minister,” he added.
“How ironical that the secretary, in order to save his brother Luqman Ali Afzal, has levelled allegations against the prime minister,” the chief justice wondered.
“Where is your brother right now?” he asked Kamran. The latter replied he did not know.
Justice Isa said whenever he purchased a plot, he purchased it with his own money.
He said that he was subjected to severe criticism when he sent the officers who had been on deputation for the last 10 years to their parent departments. “Corrupt people pointed fingers at us.”
He said he believed in the freedom of speech and had a lot of patience. “I have never taken any notice of criticism against me,” the CJP said.
Lamenting that these were the people associated with the land mafia who called the shots in the country, he opined that in fact they were the country’s worst enemies, who did not care about future generations. “We always borrowed bad things from the European culture.”
Referring to the 190 million pounds case (Al-Qadir Trust case) involving former prime minister Imran Khan, the chief justice said that the previous government gave a huge amount, which it had received from the UK, to a property tycoon. “Why don’t you people ask those involved in the case?”
The CJP immediately summoned Pine City owner Captain (r) Siddique Anwar.
Holding the interior ministry, the cabinet secretary, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Capital Development Authority responsible for the Margalla Hills issue, the chief justice said he would also issue a notice to the KP government.
Reporter: Amanat Gishkori