CJP Saqib Nisar gives dam critics final warning

Asks politicians to refrain from fulfilling someone else’s agenda

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday gave ‘last warning’ to those who were criticising the Supreme Court for collecting donations for the construction of dams.

“No matter how powerful anybody is, we will take them to the task,” says the chief justice while hearing the Dadocha Dam construction case.

Without referring PPP senior leader Khursheed Shah, the chief justice said one political leader had said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court should form a political party.

It is to be noted that Shah had recommended the chief justice to form a political party after his retirement.



The chief justice made it clear that the apex court was not doing politics, as it was not the Supreme Court’s job to do politics, adding that the top court has initiated the step in public interest.

“Those who resort to criticism do it on other matters, but not on the issue of dams’ donation. We know our jurisdiction,” he added.

The chief justice also asked political leaders to refrain from fulfilling someone else’s agenda of criticising the Supreme Court’s initiative regarding the construction of dams.

In another case, the chief justice said as schoolchildren have also started giving denotations in dams fund, now no one can stop the march towards construction of dams.

On Tuesday, the top judge also said that those who term fund collection for the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams as ‘begging’ should be ashamed.

Justice Nisar said the construction of water reservoirs is of paramount importance and will benefit the country. “We start this out of love for the country, but people falsely cast aspersion on our intentions.”

“To ask for help for national progress is not begging, those who term it so should be ashamed,” he had remarked.
It has been witnessed that both major parties – the PML-N and the PPP -- are questioning the collection of donations for the construction of dams.

Even Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that he was not against the construction of Bhasha dam but had some reservations over its location and availability of water in the system in such a quantity that dam could be filled.

However, the PTI-led government and Pakistan Army are fully backing the CJP’s initiative in this regard.

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Kamran Murtaza has already said it is a good omen that the main stakeholders -- including the judiciary, executive and army are on same page on the water issue -- at least, adding opposition parties should also involve in the process of collecting donation for dams.

Numbers of renowned lawyers, few judges also contributed in the fund. However, no press release has been issued regarding the contribution of funds by the SC judges.

A statement was issued about giving of funds by three Islamabad High Court judges.

On the very first day, the chief justice gave Rs1 million donation for the construction of dam. Later, he added 100,000 in the fund. Till September 12, Rs3.1572 billion has been collected so far.

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday and presented a cheque of Rs1005.919 million as donation to the Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund.