During the hearing of a case about the appointment of Salman Farooqui as the federal ombudsman, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry expressed his displeasure at Farooqui’s absence from Thursday’s proceedings, a private TV channel reported.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the CJP, has been hearing the challenge against Farooqui’s appointment.
His appointment was challenged by adviser to Transparency International Pakistand Adil Gilani, who declared that Farooqui had been appointed as acting ombudsman by the caretaker government.
The court was told Farooqui had gone to the US for medical treatment after getting permission from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Upon hearing this, Chaudhry showed displeasure.
Authorities from the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) informed the court that they had received Farooqui’s appointment letter on October 14, 2012. They said further they had objections to a judicial allowance for Farooqui, saying it could only be availed by judges.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said authorities from the federal ombudsman’s office had failed to produce Farooqui’s leave letter.
The bench ordered that the letter be presented before it latest by 11:30am and adjourned the hearing until October 7.
In the previous hearing, Farooqui had informed the court about his ailing health, saying that he was sufferinf from blood cancer.
His council, Waseem Sajjad, told the court that as the ombudsman’s post was transitory, anybody could occupy it.
