KARACHI: Saturday’s hearing of the suo motu notice pertaining to water pollution in Sindh saw the Chief Justice of Pakistan exchanging views about governance affairs with a senior journalist, in the presence of the city mayor.
During the hearing at the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry, the CJP Saqib Nisar asked senior journalist Mazhar Abbas if he believed that the former intented to take over the executive’s power in the country.
Responding to the question, Abbas said, “The work you’re doing is actually the job of the government.”
Abbas went on and said that a lot needed to be done for provision of basic facilities in the province.
Then, the CJP said, “The media has stopped me by saying that I’m sitting here to ensure justice.”
Abbas raised issues like construction of high-rise buildings and closure of main roads in the city. He said, “Despite the government’s orders, high-rise buildings have been constructed on Khalid bin Waleed Road,” adding further, “Half of Shahrah-e-Faisal remains shut for traffic. If service roads are opened, the issue of traffic jams will be resolved.”
The CJP responded that he had learnt that the road was closed by Pakistan Navy. “I will get it opened for traffic,” he said.
Then, the Karachi mayor also got a chance to participate in the conversation. He said buildings and markets had illegally been built on drains across the city. “We cannot demolish buildings but in the first phase we will clean all the drains. Work is underway on four big drains in the city and if you wish you can take a tour,” the Karachi mayor said, addressing the CJP.
“First ask Mazhar Sahib if he will take this up on TV tonight,” was the CJP’s response. “Your chief justice is not ashamed of working,” he said.
Later, Abbas raised the issue of encroachments at SUIT and Civil Hospital. The CJP said, “You shouldn’t just write about these issues but also take part in work needed to solve them. I will make you a part of the commission.”
Published in Daily Times, April 1st 2018.