ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar warned on Thursday Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Siddiqul Farooq of initiating contempt proceedings against the former Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman.
Hearing the case regarding the appointment of the ETPB chairman, the CJP observed that in the past, unsuitable persons were appointed chairmen of ETPB.
“That person is still talking foul of the apex court,” Chief Justice Nisar remarked while referring to Farooq, who was removed as the ETPB chief on the apex court’s order earlier this year. He then warned of issuing contempt notices to him.
The chief justice observed further that the ETPB chairman should be from the minorities. He also questioned Farooq’s credentials, observing that Farooq spent all his life in the PML-N press room cutting newspaper clippings.
He remarked that even now, continuing its policy of nepotism, the government can appoint a ‘favourite’ to the post.
The senior joint secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry informed the court that he has been given the provisional charge of the ETPB chief.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan then remarked sarcastically that it will take two to three years to appoint a new chairperson.
Earlier in January, the Supreme Court had dismissed Siddiqul Farooq from his chairmanship of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) on the grounds that he had exceeded his three-year tenure.
