Chief justice refuses to accept Azam Swati’s donation for dams

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, on Tuesday refused to accept donation from Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Azam Khan Swati, for construction of dams, ARY News reported.

Mr. Swati is an affluent man, and his treatment to the poor family has been revealed in the joint investigation team report [in the IGP Islamabad transfer case], he said during the case hearing today.

President Supreme Court Bar Association, Amanullah Kanrani, appeared before the apex court in defence of Mr. Swati and informed the court about his intention for dam funding.

“Azam Swati’s crime is not as big in nature, in view of the proposed punishment by the court,” said Amanuallah in his appeal to the CJP.

‘You can ask Mr. Swati to suggest punishment for himself,’ said the chief justice to Amanullah.

During the hearing, attorney general informed the court that a case had been registered against Azam Swati. It will take around two to three days to submit a challan to the court, he added.

The CJP suggested formation of a commission to record testimonies in the case. Under Article 62-I(f) we can also record statements, he said.

SC Bar Council president  said punishment under Article 62-I of the Constitution would be stronger. Chief justice inquired from Amanullah reason of his favour to Mr. Swati.

‘We want an impartial opinion on the matter,” Justice Nisar said, adding ‘you should prepare for the case and assist the court in this regard.’

The hearing of the case was adjourned till December 24.

The case background

The JIT on November 29 submitted its report to the Supreme Court in the case pertaining to transfer of inspector general of police, Islamabad, blaming Swati for misusing powers.

The JIT had launched its investigations against Azam Swati over alleged abuse of powers. According to details, the JIT in its report said allegations made on a poor families lacked truth.

“A clout was used to register a first information report against the family [against whom Swati’s son had quarreled]”. The JIT said charges of land grabbing on the poor family were incorrect. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar sought explanation from Mr. Swati under Article 62-1 (f) in the light of findings of the JIT.

Azam Swati was caught in a spotlight in the wake of IGP’s transfer on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by the son of Azam Swati, regarding a fight over purported encroachment with a family at their farmhouse.

It is pertinent to mention here that the SC had formed the JIT, comprising officials of FIA, NAB and IB to probe the issue on November 2.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, had expressed extreme displeasure over the removal of the IG Islamabad, saying the way he was sent packing is deplorable.

Attorney General Anwar Mansoor informed that the IGP was removed on the verbal directives of the prime minister. He remarked the capital’s top cop was removed for political reasons and vowed that he would not let anybody put any political pressure and weaken state institutions this way.