Talk of the town: Echoing ‘good to see you’

IHC CJ's greeting to IG Islamabad resonates with CJP's words to PTI chief

ISLAMABAD:

After a heated debate on the country’s top judge’s comments, the “good to see you” remarks echoed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) as its chief justice greeted the federal capital’s police chief on his arrival in a PTI leader’s arrest case on Wednesday.

“Good to see you” had become talk of the town after Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial extended wishes to PTI Chairman Imran Khan as he appeared before the Supreme Court on May 11 after his party challenged his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

The apex court had declared Imran’s arrest “invalid and unlawful”.

The PTI chief was taken into custody by Rangers from the IHC premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9.

The CJP’s greeting to the PTI chairman added fuel to government’s claims that the magnanimity of the members of the top court was limited to Imran.

The remarks generated a wave of criticism, including from the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his daughter and party’s chief organiser Maryam Nawaz.

Taking to Twitter, Nawaz said, "Those who convicted us are welcoming the man who plundered Rs60 billion. Who will consider such justice?"

Nawaz was referring to Imran’s alleged involvement in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

Earlier, Maryam also took a dig at the country’s top judge for the remarks.

“Chief Justice was very happy today to see the person who embezzled Rs60 billion and he was even more happy to release this criminal,” she tweeted.

On Tuesday, during a case hearing, CJP Bandial addressed lawyer Asghar Sabzwari by saying “good to see you” as the latter appeared before him after a long break.

The CJP clarified that he greeted everyone by saying “good to see you” as decency demanded one to be courteous and respectful to everyone.

On Wednesday, as Islamabad IG Akbar Nasir appeared before Chief Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb in a petition filed by PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry challenging his arrest, the latter greeted him, saying “IG sahib good to see you”.

Listening to the IHC CJ’s remarks, everyone present in the courtroom burst into laughter.