ISLAMABAD: Balochistan government's spokesperson Jan Buledi called for a ‘suitable position’ for former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry in the government on Thursday, while also defending his son Dr Arsalan Ifitikhar’s controversial appointment.
“Keeping in view the meritorious services for democracy, the rule of law and the constitution, in his capacity as a chief justice of Pakistan, Chaudhry Saahib, should also be appointed on a suitable post which must be in accordance to his stature,” Buledi told The Express Tribune.
Chaudhry’s role in the case of the Baloch missing persons had gained prominence in the apex court during his tenure.
When asked whether the Balochistan government was seriously considering appointing Chaudhry, Buledi said, “We do not have any suitable job available with us to be offered to the former chief justice in the province as … Chaudhry Saahib is big man and he must be given a government position which is equal to [stature].”
Dr Arsalan’s appointment
Buledi also defended the employment of Chaudhry’s son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar as vice-chairman of the Balochistan Investment Board (BIB).
Setting aside the notion that Arsalan was accommodated on the recommendation of his father, he said “it was the chief minister’s own initiative”.
In 2012, a financial impropriety case was filed against Arsalan, following media reports that he had received between Rs300-400 million from Malik Riaz, a property tycoon and chairman of Bahria Town, to influence judicial proceedings.
Buledi said Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had taken a wise decision to appoint Dr Arsalan and thinks it would play a key role in attracting international financial investment in the province.
“Arsalan is Baloch and has the capacity to serve his province,” he said, adding that the former chief justice’s son had served in the health department of Balochistan a long time ago.
While saying he was unaware as to who had recommended Arsalan for the job, Buledi stated, “I think it is in the greater interest of Balochistan and its people who are keen on the development of the province.”
Opposition political parties in the Balochistan assembly and civil society leaders have vehemently criticised the appointment made last week by the provincial chief minister and termed it unacceptable.
Senator Saifullah Magsi of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam –Fazal ( JUI-F ) spokesperson Jan Achakzai, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Assad Umer, and Tariq Mehmood, a former judge of the Balochistan High Court are among those who opposed the appointment.
Achakzai said that the JUI-F, being a key opposition party in Balochistan, had rejected Dr Arsalan’s appointment due to his corruption-tainted reputation in the past.
“The Balochistan government had time and again made tall claims of its drive against financial corruption in the province,” he said, adding that “this appointment has exposed the real situation of the provincial government.”
The JUI-F spokesperson also claimed that the ruling National Party (NP) is divided over the appointment, and said that a Baloch senator affiliated with the NP had promised the JUI-F leadership to review the chief minister’s decision.
Achakzai also claimed that certain members of the provincial cabinet are embarrassed over the issue.
Senator Magsi, son of former governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfikar Magsi, while raising his objection said that it was an unlawful decision on part of the chief minister.
“Relevant rules and regulations demanded a transparent procedure for such an appointment,” he explained, claiming that Arsalan’s appointment was made in a non-transparent manner.
An advertisement by the provincial government should have appeared in the newspapers for the vacant position of the vice-chairman of the BIB, but the government took its decision without meeting that essential requirement, he said.
PTI’s Umer - an economist and legislature - termed the appointment as an example of the worst administrative and financial corruption on the part of the Balochistan chief minister.
“Our party chief Imran Khan has also registered his protest over the issue, and he would continue to resist the appointment in his address to the public meetings,” the PTI leader said, adding that, “Arsalan had no background to run an investment board and he had been accommodated to appease some people.”
Former BHC judge Tariq Mehmood is of the view that it was not a simple matter of offering a job to an unemployed person.
“I would have never accepted such a job for my son had I been offered by the provincial government,” he remarked.
“The matter should be investigated by investigative journalists regarding who managed a government position for such a person,” he concluded.
Buledi, however, said he was not aware of any such reaction but admitted that the decision was not appreciated by anyone.
“I don’t know whether some people have welcomed the appointment,” he added.
COMMENTS (26)
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From the statement of the spokesperson for the Balochistan Government, it seems that there is no butter left in the Quetta Market. Mr. Buledi, no doubt that you are doing a very wonderful job trying to please your bosses. You will go a very long way provided you keep it up this way.
@Alam:
Not that I support his appointment. But to answer your question. Same way our Kashmiri PM calls himself lion of Punjab, or our Ex President Zardari calls himself Sindhi, considering Zardari tribe is an ethnic Baluch Tribe. When you are born and raised in a province, then you belong there, regardless of your ethnic background. Another example, Hazara people are not ethnic Baluch but have been living in Baluchistan for over a century. Arab decent Syeds live in all provinces and are considered local to their respective provinces. Makhdooms of Punjab and Makhdooms of Sindh are another very obvious example. We are all Pakistanis end of the day.
Rigging nexus is getting clear with every passing day and criminal role of ex-CJ is now crystal clear. The statements of the spokesperson is to pave way to reward them in one way or the other for the shameful role of Mr. chaudhary.
How Ch Ifti can be a Baluch when he is the First cousin of Rana Sanaullah
Vicious circle of corruption ...... it is proclaimed 'free Judiciary' that in fact deleted the last traces of credibility with help of mindless media and anchors ....
This proposal is nothing more than chamcha geri. Is there any person in Iftikhar Chaudhry's family who has not made billions with no hearing of cases against Arsalan? Iftikhar Chaudhry's each action was wrong and corrupt except all those against PPP's elected govt. What a shame that today's govt does not see a single Bloch who can do these jobs.
I am ashamed to have supported Ch Iftikhar in his lawyer movement. Lesson learnt anyone who says will change the system is just playing with common men's sentiments and emotions.
No more Imran tsunami or TUQ inqalaab. Bring back Musharraf, he was best for Pakistan.
A suitable place for him would be cleaning toilets. Because he sure as sh*t didn't clean up anything as the CJ
Rubbish idea, must be discarded right away.
Here comes the reward for role of judiciary in 2013 elections. Stay blessed.
People supported all unconstitutional decisions by former CJ against PPP.whether it order to write letter to Swiss government or dismissal of Gillani. Very hypocritically media and right wing parties including PTI supported him.This is how malafied action back fire. They are reaping what they have sown.
He is proved that he was a baised CJP. How his son got Chairmanship of Board of Investment of Balochistan???? Why Najam sethy got PCB Chairmanship?????? Now it seems there were a solid committment of these hypocrites to play a shameful role in Election.
Chaudhry Iftikhar is the Worst thing that ever happened to Pakistan after Zia ul Haq, before even the Sharif Family.
former chief justice is now proved that he was working for his self interests. he should be punished. He didnt give any relief to those people who have been visiting the sessions courts for decades.he was hypocrite.
Make him the Emperor of The Kingdom of Pakistan and stop this drama forever.
Those Pakistanis can put there head in the sand out of shame when they were supporting Ex CJ against Mushrraf.
Looks like services rendered by Ch Iftikhar during his tenure as CJ are paying him now. So he kept on eye on securing his future after retirement. Everybody knows about him and his son. This is the fate of our country that judiciary has been and is still in hands of such people.
@Usman: I agree with your proposal.
yes you are right because this is not election season :)
Brave man
If you don't have a post then an idea is to hold a national level event thats asks everyone to suggest suitable job for Iftikhar Ch. I invite all to share your suggestions, mine is:
Justice Marshal (like we have Field Marshal in Army) having power to take sue moto everywhere about everything and for ever!
No matter what they say actions speak louder than words and former CJP proved he is as corrupt as any politician. Finally people are realising the way Musharaf manhandled Iftikhar Chaudary was in better interest of the nation. Too bad people didn't understand Musharaf before and now the entire nation is suffering from this so-called democracy