Chief Justice Balochistan High Court (BHC) Justice Qazi Faiz Eesa expressed displeasure over the statements given by the government’s top executive regarding the security arrangements in line with the judicial order.
Voicing disapproval over the statements given by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Federal Interior Minister Rehman A. Malik, Justice Qazi said, “American-Pakistani businessman Mansoor Ijaz is our witness; hence, his security is our responsibility.”
According to a private television channel, heading a three-member commission formed by the Supreme Court (SC) to probe the controversial unsigned memorandum written allegedly to the US government seeking its imposing clout against any potential coup from the Pakistan Army, Justice Qazi remarked there is a separate forum for someone who does not savor the commission’s orders.
Opening proceedings, Akram Sheikh Advocate, the counsel for Mansoor Ijaz, stressed before the three-member probe commission that the Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the government apparatus is sending his client serious threats.
He referred to Malik’s assertions that his client might be put on exit control list (ECL), if he receives recommendation in this regard.
He went on to express distrust on any person appointed by Malik, emphasizing, “We are furnishing evidences against Malik’s boss. Given the situation, will he not poke hurdles?”
Akram Sheikh also said that he feared that all the possessions of his counsel will be snatched as soon as he lands in Pakistan, adding a contingent headed by a brigadier was pledged; but, nothing such happened on ground.
On this, Justice Qazi said to Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq, “Please tell us the name of the brigadier.” Reacting to this, the AG said he did not give name of any brigadier to the commission.
When questioned about his client’s absence, Akram said his client is not being offered satisfactory security; hence, he cannot take the risk.
Akram also argued to the commission that Prime Minister Gilani said that it would be him (PM Gilani) who will appoint an SHO for Ijaz’s security.
Taking notice of the statements of government functionaries, Justice Qazi asked the AG, “Where is Rehman Malik?”
“He is in the federal capital,” answered the AG Haq.
Justice Qazi queried the AG, “Does Malik’s statement stand contrary to your statement?”
Justice Qazi directed the AG to inform the federal interior minister to appear before the commission, which does not want to give a ruling without giving a chance of explanation to Malik.
The AG told the commission that Malik had said the step could be taken up if the Parliament’s Security Committee proposed so to him. The commission said no order of Malik’s statements published in newspapers came to the fore, adding, “Why are the PM and Malik are giving statements in this connection?”
“What are we sitting here for, if this is to conclude prior to investigations that memorandum was wrong?” he questioned, adding that the lawyers of the parties have made a lot of fuss in the media, as by making their statements public before the commission is informed.
On this Akram requested the commission to ban the media coverage.
Justice Qazi remarked that during the previous hearing Zahid Hussain Bukhari, the counsel of Hussain Haqqani, opposed this.
“Inquiries are held world over; but, it is being made a mess over here,” Justice Qazi said maintaining that every lawyer and government official is holding the memo true and untrue in the run up to the investigations.
Earlier, Hussain Haqqani’s counsel read out his client’s resignation, saying he voluntarily resigned from his office.
Commenting on Ijaz’s decision not to fly into Pakistan to appear before the commission in today’s hearing, Bukhari said Ijaz was accorded all the opportunities to get his statements and evidences recorded; but, he declined to come to Pakistan; hence, his right to record statement should be revoked.
Malik to appear before Memo Commission
