CJP warns of revoking Dar’s passport after no-show in Qasmi case

• Justice Nisar vows to take all measures to bring ex-finance minister back to Pakistan, gives him 3 days to appear in court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday ordered former finance minister Ishaq Dar to appear before the court within three days.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the appointment of Pakistan Television former chairman Ataul Haq Qasmi as managing director the state-run TV and the amount of salary and perks he received as MD and chief.

“Ishaq Dar is involved in the case,” Justice Nisar said

“We are giving Dar another chance. He should appear before the court within three days,” the bench remarked while directing that summons be sent to the former finance minister’s house.

“Dar is absconding and we will conduct an inquiry if he fails to appear before the court again,” the chief justice observed.

Early in the day, Justice Nisar warned former finance minister Ishaq Dar of cancelling his passport over persistent absence in assets beyond income reference despite being summoned.

During the hearing, the top judge asked the attorney general of Pakistan if Dar is present in the court, to which, he informed that the former minister is in London.

Showing resentment over no-show, the chief justice warned that the court will revoke the passport of Dar as he failed to attend the court hearing despite being summoned.

He added that the Supreme Court will mull over issuing red warrants against the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who has also been declared absconder by an accountability court in a corruption reference.

He vowed to take all measures to bring back the former finance minister to Pakistan. The chief justice also summoned the Ministry of Interior officials to brief the court of the steps necessary for his return.

The hearing of the case has been briefly adjourned till Interior Ministry officials appear before the three-judge bench.

On July 5, the apex court had summoned former finance minister Ishaq Dar, then federal information secretary Muhammad Azam and then finance secretary Waqar Masood on July 9 on account of approving salary, perks and privileges of Ataul Haq Qasmi.

Earlier, Ata ul Haq Qasmi was summoned to the apex court by the CJP.

During a previous hearing, the top judge had asked Qasmi to return Rs 270 million in the national exchequer so that the case could be shelved.

The large amount of compensation Qasmi allegedly received during his time at PTV caught the eye of Justice Nisar, who observed that the former chairman received at least Rs1m monthly.