Calls grow to hold ex-CJ Nisar accountable

Nawaz demands arrest; NA speaker sets up committee to probe alleged audio leak

ISLAMABAD:

 

Calls to hold former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar accountable for his alleged judicial transgressions grew on Wednesday as PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif called for action against the ex-top judge.

Separately, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf constituted a special committee to investigate the alleged audio leak of former chief justice’s son Najam Saqib.

The former top judge has found himself being sucked into the political maelstrom, more than three years after his retirement as he faced relentless criticism from the PML-N top brass, which accuses him of favouring the PTI and its chairman,
In response to a question posed by a reporter outside Stanhope House, the three-time former prime minister said, “Action should be taken against Saqib Nisar. He violated the law and the Constitution. Others who do the same go to jail.”

Nawaz said that legal action should be taken against Saqib Nisar for "selling electoral tickets" which transgressed the law.

He continued that those who violated the Constitution and law went to jail, and similarly, the ex-CJP should also be put behind bars. The former premier added that Nisar committed many atrocities against the country and the people while in office. He stated that Nisar’s actions against Pakistan were “unforgivable”.

The PML-N leader referred to an interview of former judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who alleged in a television interview that Nisar was part of a group acting against democracy.

Former CJP Nisar has recently come under fire by the Sharif camp following a leaked audio clip of his son purportedly taking money in exchange for the award of PTI tickets.

In the audio leak, which surfaced last week, Najam allegedly could be heard talking to two other people about taking not less than “120” in exchange for a ticket.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly secretariat appointed Aslam Bhootani as the chairman of the committee and issued an official notification in this regard.

Other members of the committee include Shahida Akhtar Ali, Muhammad Abu Bakr, Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir, Sheikh Rohale Asghar, Syed Hussain Tariq, Naz Baloch, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Wajiha Qamar and Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla.

The committee will conduct a 'comprehensive investigation' and submit a report to the NA. Moreover, the committee can also ask any investigative agency for assistance in its inquiry.