PAC seeks details of SC judge’s assets

Chairman Noor Alam expresses displeasure over absence of provincial chief secretaries in the meeting

ISLAMABAD:

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday sought details of the income and assets of Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi from the relevant ministries, government departments and institutions within 15 days.

During a meeting, PAC Chairman Noor Alam Khan expressed his displeasure over the absence of a number of government officials, including the provincial chief secretaries and heads of the institutions. He warned that he could issue arrest warrants against the officials who ignored the committee meeting.

During discussions, 13 out of 14 committee members, who were present in the meeting, allowed the investigation into Justice Naqvi's assets. The only opposition came from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Mohsin Aziz.

The chair directed that the auditor general should investigate the categories of plots of Justice Naqvi and submit a report. He also directed for the provision of tax returns, data of household members, travel details and complete details of the plots within 15 days.

Khan said that if the chief secretaries and the heads of the institutions, who had been invited to the meeting, did not come to the next PAC meeting, he would issue warrants against them. “How can I preside over a meeting in which officers do not want to come,” he said. He asked whether the government officials were intimidated.

Read more: Misconduct complaint filed against Justice Mazahar Naqvi in SJC

Earlier, Noor Alam Khan told the committee that the matter of Justice Naqvi's assets had been “referred to us by the National Assembly”. Committee member Birjis Tahir suggested that first the record of the assets beyond income should be sought from Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Another committee member, Rohail Asghar, said that it was an important matter, which had been discussed in the National Assembly and PAC. Senator Mohsin Aziz said that in the current situation in the country, the members should cool down the situation.

He pointed out that the Supreme Court had the Supreme Judicial Council to look into such matters. “So why has this matter been referred to PAC?” he asked. Noor Alam Khan replied that under the Constitution, PAC could hear such matters. “I follow the Constitution,” Khan stressed.

The law secretary said that the appointment of judges was made by the Supreme Judicial Commission, therefore, the ministry did not have any records of judges. The chair directed the FBR chairman to provide the judge’s tax returns and wealth statement. He also directed the housing secretary to provide details of the plots.

Committee member Shahida Akhtar Ali said that the auditor general and the law ministry should guide the committee on carrying the matter forward. Committee member Syed Tariq Hussain Shah said that the law ministry should also make it clear whether or not PAC could look into the matter.