IHC’s clarification only deepens confusion: Vawda

Senator says IHC’s press release in defence of Justice Babar Sattar gives birth to more questions

ISLAMABAD:

Seasoned politician and Senator Faisal Vawda has said that the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) press release to clear the air about Justice Babar Sattar’s dual nationality has only served to deepen the confusion while giving birth to more questions.

Senator Vawda, while talking a private channel, called into question the claims made in the clarification, including regarding Justice Sattar’s possession of a green card.

He pointed out that, the jurist, as mentioned in the press release, had informed the IHC chief justice regarding his Pakistani citizenship and possession of a green card enabling visa-free travel to the United States.

However, while this information might have been communicated verbally, its absence from official records raised significant doubts.

"If it is written somewhere in the record, it should be published, and if this was told verbally, then there is a big question mark on the judge,” he stressed.

Furthermore, Vawda questioned the handling of the situation by the former chief justice of the IHC, Justice Athar Minallah. He questioned why the verbal assertion was not documented officially if it held such importance.Addressing another aspect highlighted in the press release, Senator Vawda raised doubts about Justice Sattar’s employment in the United States and his possession of a permanent resident card.

Vawda expressed confusion over Justice Sattar’s claim of traveling to the US without a visa and urged for a clearer explanation.

‘Establishment not interested in deal’

Touching on PTI's apparent change in rhetoric and narrative, he recalled that PTI initially painted former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa as a villain for toppling their regime.

However, he added, the same PTI did a complete 180 and offered Bajwa an extension in tenure.

He said that now the PTI was singing a different tune, expressing eagerness to sit down at the table with the establishment it once lambasted.

He further remarked that the establishment has little inclination to strike a deal with PTI or engage in discussions, adding that the PTI can twiddle its thumbs indefinitely, but no negotiations are going to be offered.

He foresaw that eventually, PTI would have to come to terms with the current government.

He alleged that all these PTI members are cosying up to the government and are content to see Imran Khan behind bars, conveniently pinning their misdeeds on him while reaping the benefits of his popularity.