SC takes notice of making Secretary Established OSD;
Calls for ‘written statement’ of Prime Minister;
‘One day ultimatum’ to restore Sohail Ahmed;
DG FIA presents himself in court, gets snubbed
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has called for the written statement of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani over the move of making Secretary Establishment, Sohail Ahmed Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
The six member special bench of Supreme Court presided by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the Hajj Corruption Case on second consecutive day, Wednesday.
Tahseen Shah, Director General FIA, also presents himself in the court. Tahseen shah during the proceedings told the court that Hussain Asghar had not yet reported at Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
On this occasion, Chief Justice gave remarks, “If anyone has misunderstanding about court’s decision, he must be clear in mind that only supremacy of law will rule the country.”
In the beginning, Chief Justice took notice of government’s step of making Sohail Ahmed, OSD for issuing orders of restoration of Hussain Asghar as FIA officer to investigate Hajj Corruption Case, to comply SC’s orders.
Court also asked Attorney General regarding the reason behind the removal of secretary establishment from his position. It ordered AG, Moulvi Anwar ul Haq that you must be helping court to brought back Sohail Ahmed. The court ordered AG to bring the notification of making former Secretary Establishment OSD and to meet the Prime Minister to ask the reason for making him OSD.
After the break, AG came with the notification and told the honourable court, “I could not speak to PM because the Premier was busy in cabinet meeting and I have conveyed your message to Principal Secretary.”
On this Chief Justice gave instruction to the Attorney General to meet the Premier personally and inform the court about his response in writing. CJ also remarked that PM’s decision was hasty and seems to have been made after the said government official complied courts orders by restoring Hussain Asghar. The hearing of case was later adjourned till Thursday.