Rebuttal: CJP rejects Javed Hashmi’s claim

PTI president Javed Hashmi’s has claimed incumbent CJP had an ‘understanding’ with Imran Khan to topple PML-N govt

ISLAMABAD:

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk has clarified his position regarding PTI president Javed Hashmi’s claim on Monday that the incumbent CJP had an ‘understanding’ with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to topple the PML-N government.

The CJP rejected Hashmi’s claim, adding that he had no direct or indirect understanding with PTI chief Imran Khan in this regard. He gave the clarification while hearing a petition filed by Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench President Shafqat Bhatti on the prevailing political turmoil.

Justice Mulk said he had met Imran Khan only once regarding the introduction of biometric polling systems for the local government elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and petitions pending in election tribunals when he was the acting chief election commissioner, adding that the Election Commission secretary and three other PTI members were part of the meeting.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja added that individuals do not matter as the whole bench decides the case in the apex court. “It has become a feature of our society to level baseless allegations against institutions to malign them without any concern for consequences,” commented Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali. Justice Jamali also expressed concern over the attack on the PTV headquarters and other state buildings. “We have shown restraint in this matter,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2014.