–Chief Justice Nisar tells railways minister ‘gone are the days when courts were disrespected’
–Orders complete audit of Pakistan Railways, as minister seeks to explain meeting with ‘relatives’
LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday ordered the complete audit of Pakistan Railways, as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar came down hard on Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique over a meeting the latter had held with some people a few days ago, leading to speculation that efforts were being made to influence the judges.
The SC gave the directions during the suo motu hearing of alleged Rs60 billion corruption in Pakistan Railways.
A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, had in a previous hearing summoned Federal Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique in the court. On Saturday, Rafique appeared in court and informed the bench that the railway’s revenue is Rs50 billion with a deficit of Rs35 billion.
“There are many reasons behind the losses. If you conduct an audit then you will become content with our performance,” he submitted before the bench.
The CJP asked the railways minister about the number of train accidents that have taken place during his tenure.
In reference to the army train accident in which 17 soldiers were martyred, Rafique said that the cause of the accident was speeding. However, the CJP remarked that the minister had placed all the responsibility of the accident on the driver.
RAFIQUE’S SECRET MEETING DRAWS CJP’S IRE:
The CJP then reprimanded Rafique over his strong statements against state institutions, adding that the days when courts were disrespected are long gone.
“You know what your body language was at the place where you had gone a few days back,” said the CJP to which the minister said “I have relatives there. I had gone there for tea. Taking tea with my relatives is my right.”
Rafique told the court he was at the hearing not for a political speech but to show the work Pakistan Railways was doing. However, he was told to stay quiet until given permission, upon which he said he would leave the court if the CJP did not want to hear him.
“There is a misunderstanding which I want to clear. I can leave if you don’t want to hear me out,” he said. Responding to this, the CJP remarked, “We are well-aware of your intentions. If you leave the court then contempt proceedings will be initiated against you.”
“If you keep silent it will be better for you. Otherwise everyone will come to know where you had gone. I know what type of tea you had there. I am doing Jihad. No matter how many big faces you may bring, I will hear what is based on merit. Leave aside political talks. Come to the performance of Railway otherwise I will send you contempt of court notice directly,” the CJP said.
Taken aback by the judge’s remarks, Rafique said, “You are our chief justice. You should give me a chance to speak. I am son of Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed, I am toeing the line of my father.” The CJP remarked “I respect Khawaja Rafiq Shaheed. We have done Jihad together. I know how much you are toeing the line of your father”.
The minister insisted that he was following in his father’s footsteps.
“I remained in jail in connection with the movement for restoration of independent judiciary,” Rafique said sheepishly to which the CJP retorted by saying “May be you will have to go to jail again.”
The railways minister said that there will be visible improvement in the department in the next 12 years. Over which, the CJP remarked, “Should the court then allow you to continue your appointment without contesting elections for the next 12 years?”
Speaking to media outside the SC Registry, the railways minister said he had always made efforts for the betterment of railways.
“I improved the condition of passenger trains and fired no permanent employees,” he said, adding that he is waiting for someone to show up and do better work than him.
“Railways is earning Rs50 billion with a loss of Rs35 billion. It was rescued from privatisation but the institution’s improvement will still take 10 to 12 years,” he repeated the statement made before the judges.
Earlier on April 7, the CJP had taken a suo moto notice of over Rs60 million alleged corruption in Pakistan Railways and summoned Rafique and the secretary concerned.
The court directed the railways’ officials to appear before the court with relevant documents and apprise the court regarding the reasons for the losses.
The CJP had applauded Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that despite being illiterate, he made the railways a profit earning institution in India. “His theory is now taught in Harvard University,” he claimed.