In yet another show of misconduct in the apex court, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Irfan Qadir exchanged hot words with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry during a hearing on the law and order situation in Balochistan on Wednesday.
According to a private TV channel, the CJP asked Qadir why he had appeared before the court despite the fact that he was not called. Qadir retorted: “Do not summon me if you don’t like me to come.” The CJP replied: “Go over the last order of the court. You were not called today.” The AGP replied: “Your order is belatedly received.”
Displeased with the AGP’s response, the chief justice said that the order is written immediately, adding whether he was telling a lie. The AGP harshly replied whether he was telling a lie. Upon this, the CJP warned him to mind his manners.
Earlier on June 14, during the hearing of petitions challenging the National Assembly speaker’s ruling in favor of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the AGP had demonstrated rude conduct and made vulgar hand gestures, which triggered protest by other lawyers against his behavior.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad submitted a report in the court. However, the bench termed it nothing more than a formality, saying, “The chief secretary’s meetings with the high-ups, including the prime minister are nothing but a formality.” Addressing the chief secretary, Justice Jawwad S Khwaja said: “Are you waiting for some third one to come? The interior secretary did not show up in the previous ten hearings.” Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said grim consequences would ensue if the court writes in its order that the federal government is not serious about the issue of Balochistan. He said that although the court does not want to issue such an order, but it is being pushed for such a ruling.
Meanwhile, the SC bench dismissed a joint testimony by the secretaries of defense and interior, and the chief secretary of Balochistan. The joint testimony, submitted by the AGP, stated that none of the 78 missing persons were in custody. The testimony also refuted earlier statements that another 80 people had been taken into custody.
The court rejected the joint testimony and remarked that each case would be heard on individual basis. It adjourned the hearing until Thursday (today).