- Says judiciary won’t allow nepotism and corruption
LAHORE, April 8: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday took notice of delay in the provision of justice to the victims of Model Town incident.
The top judge directed the Punjab government to explain the reasons and details pertaining to the delay in the provision of justice to the victims.
While speaking to an affectee Bisma, who lost her mother in the incident, Chief Justice Nisar assured her that justice will be dispensed. “You don’t need to be afraid as long as I am alive,” the CJP remarked.
At least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured in police action against PAT workers during an ‘anti-encroachment operation’ on June 17, 2014.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that as long as the present judiciary is here, nepotism and corruption will not be permitted in the country.
He made the remarks while hearing cases related to public welfare issues, including the Saaf Pani Company and recruitment at 56 public organisation cases, at the Lahore Registry today.
Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed arrived at the apex court earlier to appear before the two-member bench, which includes Justice Ijazul Ahsan.
Hearing the Punjab Saaf Pani Company case, the chief justice observed that everyone will be held accountable and every penny of the people will be returned to the national kitty.
Referring to the hiring of individuals from the private sector as well as foreign experts in the public organisation, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that those who made these hirings will have to return the money from their own pocket.
The court ruled that all the companies’ officers will get the same salaries as government officials at the same scale.
“Citizens did not get a drop of water despite spending of Rs4 billion on the project,” the chief secretary admitted before the court, adding that instead of improving, the performance of the company came down.
The apex court also questioned the inclusion of provincial minister Zaeem Qadri’s brother and wife in the company’s board of directors.
“So much was spent on public advertisements but nothing was done on the ground,” Chief Justice Nisar remarked further.
Appearing before the court, the company’s former CEO, Waseem Ajmal, said that the Punjab chief minister directed the replacement of local experts with foreigners, adding that the provincial chief executive was not even legally permitted to give directions to the company.
The court has summoned the National Accountability Bureau’s prosecutor general on April 14 to look into the case. – Agencies
