Aviation minister's statement on Nawaz's bail irks IHC

Aviation minister in trouble over remarks suggesting Nawaz's medical reports were 'changed'

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan was issued a notice by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after he claimed that the medical reports of former premier Nawaz Sharif were changed to secure a favourable verdict.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a petition on Khan’s comments suggesting that Nawaz has been given a ‘deal’.

During the hearing, the chief justice noted that the government was liable to answer in regards to the claim of a deal being struck and questioned the relevance of the said claim in relation to the bail hearings of the three-time premier.

The petitioner’s counsel, Jahangir Jadoon, informed the bench of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader’s statement propagating that Nawaz’s medical reports were ‘fake’.

Awan explains in writing why she should not be held in contempt of court

Taking cognizance of the seriousness of the claim, Justice Minallah observed that the medical board was constituted by the Punjab government. “The government doubts its own board," stated the chief justice.

“This is a very serious matter if a federal cabinet member issues such a statement. It shows lack of confidence in the entire system and state institutions,” said Justice Minallah while addressing Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan.

Awan had appeared before the bench in contempt of court hearing her criticism of IHC's decision to grant Nawaz bail on medical grounds.

Maintaining that Khan’s comments were against government policy, Awan said she will raise the matter before PM Imran after reviewing the transcript of Khan’s comments.

Justice Minallah observed that if the government fails to take action against the aviation minister then it would mean that it stands by his stance.

“It could be his personal opinion. I am not in a position to comment on his behalf,” said Awan. “You are the government’s spokesperson,” replied Justice Minallah.

Firdous Ashiq Awan gets another contempt notice from IHC

The bench also directed the registrar's office to convert the petition against Khan into contempt of court proceedings and club it with Awan’s.

The special advisor requested the court to keep the two issues separate, maintaining that Khan’s made the statement in an individual capacity. “She has submitted an unconditional apology and the written explanation,” said Awan's counsel.

The bench, however, said it will hear both the cases together and summoned the aviation minister to appear in person in the next hearing fixed for November 14.

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