Erstwhile railways minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart Saad Rafique on Saturday sought one-month time to submit his response in a case pertaining to monetary losses incurred by the Pakistan Railways during the previous government. Saad appeared at the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry after he was summoned by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar. At the onset of hearing, the top judge asked Saad if he had read the audit report. To this, the former railways minister said that he was among those who had helped the department become stable. “I am not here to be insulted,” Saad remarked. To this, Justice Nisar said: “No one is insulting you. Just respond to the question you’ve been asked.” In his response, said that he was “being scolded while expecting to be applauded for his performance as the railway minister.” “Submit your response and we will see if you deserve to be praised,” Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan said. Saad then told the court that he could not respond to the court on a 1000-page report. “I am not an accountant, I cannot respond to the report. Please tell me where does the report mentions me or says I was involved in corruption,” the former minister said. In response, the chief justice advised the PML-N leader to leave his arrogance at home. “Correct your behaviour. What is this rage all about?” the top judge remarked. “You had made up your mind at home that you would disrespect the court.” In response, Saad said that he could not imagine disrespecting the court. He also stated that he had made his best efforts to improve the Railway Department. The chief justice then advised him to hire a lawyer and consultant. Citing his engagements pertaining to the upcoming by-elections, Saad requested for a month’s time to submit his response. The court then accepted his request and adjourned the hearing. Justice Nisar had taken a suo motu notice of alleged Rs 60 billion corruption in the Pakistan Railways. The top judge had also summoned railways minister, secretary and board members along with the audit report. A week later, the apex court ordered the complete audit of Pakistan Railways during the case hearing. On April 28, the Supreme Court sought a report on the losses incurred by Pakistan Railways. The report found that losses of Pakistan Railways stood at Rs 40 billion. Published in Daily Times, September 16th 2018.