Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar reacted strongly to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s terming Supreme Court’s remarks in Zulfikar Bukhari case ‘regrettable’.
The premier, in an interview with senior anchorpersons, had lamented the top judge using the word ‘nepotism’ for Bukhari’s appointment as Special Advisor on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.
Justice Nisar, while hearing a petition challenging Bukhari’s appointment due to dual nationality, had remarked that “nepotism should not be seen” while appointment individuals on senior posts. He had questioned the merit behind the British-Pakistani’s selection.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the top judge stressed to continue using the word ‘nepotism’ to assert that justice is independent of ‘anyone’s regret’.
“We shall interfere in such matters as it is our duty to work for the betterment of the country’s administration,” the chief justice said. He added that the judiciary had the power of judicial review.
“The apex court is exercising quo warranto powers to probe Bukhari’s appointment. Perhaps the prime minister is uninformed about working of courts,” he observed.
The top judge also inquired how Bukhari had attended meeting of Employees Old-age Benefits Institution (EOBI). “We want to ensure the appointment was done per law.”
The defense counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan, emphasized that the special advisory had “performed phenomenally and also donated his salary to the Prime Minister and Chief Justice’s damn fund.”
Meanwhile, Bukhari had argued in his written reply that the law permitted prime minister to confer any status upon him, adding that the conferment of the ‘status of minister of state’ does not make an appointee a minister of state.
He contended that the reliance in the petition on Article 62 of the Constitution exhibited ignorance of the actual post held by him, which is neither as a federal minister nor minister of state.
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