Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Thursday warned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Siddiqul Farooq of initiating contempt proceedings against him.

During hearing of a review petition filed by the PML-N leader against the apex court’s January 31 decision of removing him as Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman, the chief justice observed that in the past, unsuitable persons were appointed to the post. He observed that the ETPB chairman should be from the minority community. He also questioned Farooq’s credentials, observing that the removed ETPB chairman spent all his life in the PML-N pressroom preparing newspaper clippings. Senior joint secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs informed the court he had been given temporary charge of the organisation. Justice Ejazul Ahsan questioned if the appointment of a new chairman will take two to three years. “Hire any of your favourites by maintaining nepotism,” stated Justice Nisar. “Hire a PML-N secretary again.”

During the proceedings, Justice Nisar stated that Farooq frequently gave anti-judiciary statements. “We will initiate contempt proceedings against him,” he warned.

While hearing the Katas Raj suo motu case, the Supreme Court had on January 31 ordered the removal of Siddiqul Farooq as the head of the ETPB, an organisation that looks after the affairs of religious places of the minorities in the country. Following his dismissal, Farooq in early March had challenged the court order by filing a review petition wherein he criticised the use of harsh language against him by the apex court.

Published in Daily Times, April 6^th 2018.