Daily Times

The Supreme Court while hearing the case pertaining to the transfer of Islamabad IG Jan Muhammad directed Federal Minister Azam Swati to submit a written reply by Tuesday night.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Azam Swati and his lawyer appeared before a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar as it heard the suo motu case of the Islamabad IG’s transfer.

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked, “You must have seen the joint investigation team’s (JIT) report.” Swati’s lawyer responded in the positive and sought time to submit a written reply.

The bench, however, directed the federal minister to submit his reply in court by Tuesday’s night.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned till today.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of Islamabad IG Jan Muhammad’s abrupt transfer last month. The IGP was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by the son of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, regarding a fight over purported encroachment with a family at their farmhouse.

The apex court had formed a JIT to probe allegations of misuse of authority, misconduct and encroachment against the minister.

The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice of the transfer of Islamabad IG and suspended the transfer of Jan Muhammad but had to withdraw its order after he excused himself from performing duties.

Meanwhile, US authorities have handed over important documents to a joint investigation team (JIT), probing alleged misuse of authority by the minister, which might land him into serious trouble.

The JIT received an important letter from US Department of Homeland Security categorically stating that Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Azam Khan Swati falsely represented himself as an American national in the United States of America in 2000 and 2001.

Published in Daily Times, December 5^th 2018.