MPA taken to task for slapping citizen, ordered to deposit Rs3m

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday came down hard on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Dr Imran Shah for thrashing a citizen during a traffic brawl in the metropolis.

The chief justice, who was hearing a suo motu case with regard to the assault on a citizen in Karachi on Aug 4, observed that the lawmaker ought to have been given four slaps across the face in public.

Addressing Shah, who was present in court, the chief justice asked him as to what did he think when he slapped the citizen. “No one beats even an animal up this way,” he remarked.

Justice Nisar said the PTI lawmaker’s offence is unpardonable.  “You are a public representative, you will torture [a person] this way,” he asked.

Shah said he was sorry about his act.

The chief justice asked the citizen, Dawood Chauhan, as to why he received money from the MPA and pardoned him? “No compensation can make up for disrespecting a person,” he added.

Chauhan said the nominated governor of Sindh came to his residence after the incident due to which he had to pardon the lawmaker.

Shah told the top judge that he slapped the citizen three to four times. On this chief justice said the MPA will also get four slaps in public.

The apex court disposed of the suo motu case after the PTI leader offered an apology to Chauhan in court, who afterwards, pardoned him in the name of Allah Almighty.

It directed Shah to deposit a fine of Rs3 million in Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams Fund.