CJP, Saad Rafique have a heated exchange of words
Case should be handed over to NAB, says Justice Nisar
Former Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique: PHOTO: File
LAHORE:
Former railways minister and PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique had in a fiery verbal duel with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar at the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry on Saturday, turning the atmosphere there vitriolic.
At a juncture, the chief justice asked the former minister why he was so angry.
Rafique replied that he had not appeared before the court to be humiliated and that there was a code of conduct that should be followed by all judges.
The heated exchange of words between the CJP and the PML-N leader came during the hearing of a suo motu notice on the losses sustained by Pakistan Railways. The CJP was heading a two-judge bench hearing the case.
When the top judge directed the former minister to submit a reply in the light of an audit report within 15 days, the latter took the rostrum and lifted a finger towards the former and mumbled something inaudible.
At this, the CJP said, “Is this the way to address the court?”
The former minister said that he had only spoken the word God. “Can we not utter the word God in this court?” he retorted.
“Why are you angry and please avoid your arrogant manners,” said the top judge.
When the former minister insisted that there is a court of God too, the CJP again asked, “Why are you angry?”
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Upon this, Rafique requested Justice Nisar that he should not use the word ‘Tum’. He said there was a code of conduct and all judges should follow it, according respect to all people.
He said that the Constitution does not empower him to disrespect anyone that and he had not appeared before the court to get humiliated.
“No one is humiliating you,” the CJP remarked.
Rafique replied that 15 days was not sufficient for him to submit a reply to an audit report in which his role had not been specified.
In response, the CJP told him to mention this in the reply.
The former minister said how he could submit a reply to an audit report which had neither been submitted in the court nor was it in his possession.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan responded by waving a pile of papers and saying, “This is the report Khawaja Sahib.”
To this, Rafique said the report was too lengthy and his election was just around the corner.
In response, the CJP said he could hire a lawyer or a consultant to submit his reply.
The former minister said he was not being heard properly. “You are all honorable judges who have to dispense justice,” he said and requested the court to grant him at least one month for submitting his reply.
The CJP granted Rafique one month for submitting his reply in the light of the audit report.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked, “Are you happy now?”
At this juncture, the CJP quipped that they could not be happy, especially those who came to the court for disrespecting it.
Rafique said he had not disrespected the court in any manner and he always held courts in high esteem.
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During the day’s proceeding, the CJP snubbed the railways’ legal adviser after he contended that Rafique was no longer a minister.
The CJP remarked, “What do you mean he is not a minister now? Who will respond if Khawaja (Saad Rafique) is not a minister?”
Simultaneously, the CJP directed the railways authorities to submit a reply within 10 days.
By that time, Rafique had left the rostrum, saying he was expecting appreciation from the court, but was snubbed instead.
Upon this, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, “You just submit your reply. Let us see whether or not you should be admired.”
Former railways minister and PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique had in a fiery verbal duel with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar at the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry on Saturday, turning the atmosphere there vitriolic.
At a juncture, the chief justice asked the former minister why he was so angry.
Rafique replied that he had not appeared before the court to be humiliated and that there was a code of conduct that should be followed by all judges.
The heated exchange of words between the CJP and the PML-N leader came during the hearing of a suo motu notice on the losses sustained by Pakistan Railways. The CJP was heading a two-judge bench hearing the case.
When the top judge directed the former minister to submit a reply in the light of an audit report within 15 days, the latter took the rostrum and lifted a finger towards the former and mumbled something inaudible.
At this, the CJP said, “Is this the way to address the court?”
The former minister said that he had only spoken the word God. “Can we not utter the word God in this court?” he retorted.
“Why are you angry and please avoid your arrogant manners,” said the top judge.
When the former minister insisted that there is a court of God too, the CJP again asked, “Why are you angry?”
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Upon this, Rafique requested Justice Nisar that he should not use the word ‘Tum’. He said there was a code of conduct and all judges should follow it, according respect to all people.
He said that the Constitution does not empower him to disrespect anyone that and he had not appeared before the court to get humiliated.
“No one is humiliating you,” the CJP remarked.
Rafique replied that 15 days was not sufficient for him to submit a reply to an audit report in which his role had not been specified.
In response, the CJP told him to mention this in the reply.
The former minister said how he could submit a reply to an audit report which had neither been submitted in the court nor was it in his possession.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan responded by waving a pile of papers and saying, “This is the report Khawaja Sahib.”
To this, Rafique said the report was too lengthy and his election was just around the corner.
In response, the CJP said he could hire a lawyer or a consultant to submit his reply.
The former minister said he was not being heard properly. “You are all honorable judges who have to dispense justice,” he said and requested the court to grant him at least one month for submitting his reply.
The CJP granted Rafique one month for submitting his reply in the light of the audit report.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked, “Are you happy now?”
At this juncture, the CJP quipped that they could not be happy, especially those who came to the court for disrespecting it.
Rafique said he had not disrespected the court in any manner and he always held courts in high esteem.
Pakistan Railways to establish call centres
During the day’s proceeding, the CJP snubbed the railways’ legal adviser after he contended that Rafique was no longer a minister.
The CJP remarked, “What do you mean he is not a minister now? Who will respond if Khawaja (Saad Rafique) is not a minister?”
Simultaneously, the CJP directed the railways authorities to submit a reply within 10 days.
By that time, Rafique had left the rostrum, saying he was expecting appreciation from the court, but was snubbed instead.
Upon this, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, “You just submit your reply. Let us see whether or not you should be admired.”