SC seeks PM aide’s hiring record

CJP assures Ahsan that there would be no judicial overreach in the case

LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the federal government to submit the credentials of Zulfikar Bukhari, special assistant to the prime minister, as well as complete record of his appointment.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing a petition filed against the appointment of Bukhari at the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry.

“It is astonishing enough that appointments are being made on the basis of friendships, as making appointments on such posts is a national duty,” the chief justice remarked remarked.



As Bukhari started to shed light on his profile and achievements, the chief justice said, “You are looking very proud.”

He asked prominent lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan to advise his client to leave his anger at home before coming to court. “He can be suspended before leaving this court,” the chief justice warned, making it clear that Bukhari could be a friend of someone but not of the Supreme Court.



Bukhari contended that he had spent five years in Pakistan. He also said that he had his schooling in Islamabad, adding that he was among the top 100 influential Muslims living in European countries.
He said, “Being an overseas Pakistani businessman, I can serve the government by boosting business activities.”

Ahsan argued that there should be no judicial overreach while dealing with the case in hand, contending that the prime minister had appointed Bukhari exercising his discretionary powers.

He said that a prime minister was supposed to seek advice from his trustworthy people. “Should he seek advice from Barack Obama,” wondered the counsel.

The chief justice assured Ahsan that there would be no judicial overreach in the case.

“A prime minister is not supposed to act on personal wish but under the law and the Constitution,” the chief justice added.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that the court wanted to know the credentials of Bukhari that led to his appointment as special assistant to the prime minister. The chief justice said the court intended to see whether such appointments had been made on the basis of friendships or in accordance with the law.

Responding on dual nationality, Bukhari said he was a special assistant and not a member of parliament.

The hearing was adjourned till December 5 and would be held at Supreme Court, Islamabad.