'I've stopped taking suo motu notices': chief justice

ISLAMABAD: During hearing of a case, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday declared that he has stopped taking suo motu notices.

The chief justice, who was heading a bench of the apex court, rejected a request by a female employee of Pakistan Television (PTV) to redress her grievance by taking a suo motu notice.

The bench was hearing a case pertaining to the appointment of the managing director of the state-owned channel PTV.

The top judge observed it will have to determine whether former PTV chairman Attaul Haq Qasmi’s appointment was in line with laws.

A report on the audited accounts of PTV was presented to the bench, which said Rs200 millions were spent during two years.

The amount included Rs2 millions splashed out on the membership of a club, Rs2 million spent under the head of recreational activities as well as Rs2.1 million paid to a guest house.

The chief justice said the court will determine whether these massive payments were justified or not and whether Qasmi’s appointment was as per laws.

It directed the former PTV chairman to submit his objections to the audit report within two weeks and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

A woman employee of PTV appeared before the bench, requesting the chief justice to take suo motu notice of her grievance. Upon this, the chief justice said: “I have stopped taking suo motu notices.

However, the woman pleaded with the top adjudicator to take last suo motu notice.