Transparency be seen to have been pursued: CJP

Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked that “transparency should not only be pursued in all matters but it should also be seen to have been pursued.”

The CJ gave these remarks while hearing of corrupt practices in the construction of new airport and appointment of DG Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) case on Tuesday.

Iftikhar Gilani, counsel for the federation, said the sitting CAA DG Khalid Chaudhry had informed the government through a letter about the corrupt practices which were later mentioned in the report of Shahid Niaz commission constituted by this court. Khalid Ch’s hands were clean and no corruption was committed during his tenure and his appointment had been made on merit, the counsel argued. Shah Khawar said: “We want stern action to be taken against this corruption.”

The CJ remarked: “Whatever is to be done, it is discretion of the government.”

During the hearing, Justice Jawad remarked: “What were the meanings of land site and air site in Urdu. Public is concerned with the land site only and it has no concern with the air site.”

Khawaja Haris said no direct responsibility had been fixed on any one in the report.

On this, Justice Jawad remarked: “It is beyond comprehension what problem the CAA was facing in providing record. It is public money. It has been extracted from the pockets of the poor.”

The court adjourned the hearing till Wednesday