SC orders Swati to submit response on JIT report

–CJP rejects federal minister’s request for time to submit response in Islamabad IGP’s transfer case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Azam Swati to submit a written response to the joint investigation team’s (JIT) report on the Islamabad IGP’s transfer case.

Swati was accompanied by his lawyer as he appeared before the three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar.

The CJP had taken a suo motu notice of the transfer of Islamabad IGP last month and a JIT was constituted to investigate the matter.

“You must have seen the joint investigation team’s (JIT) report,” the CJP remarked as the hearing began. Swati’s lawyer responded that the report was indeed read but requested the court for time to submit a response.

However, the bench rejected the request and directed that a response over the matter be submitted by Tuesday night in court.

Hearing of the case was then adjourned till Wednesday.

Last month, the JIT probing alleged misuse of authority by Swati has held the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator and his employees responsible for the clash that took place at his farmhouse.

Swati is accused of playing a role in the transfer of former Islamabad police chief Jan Mohammad — an allegation over which the Supreme Court had formed a JIT to probe the incident.

The IG’s transfer took place after Swati’s son registered a case against a family of slum dwellers for allegedly trespassing on his family’s land. Five people, including two women, were arrested for trespassing on the land and beating Swati’s guards up.

They were released after a day’s detention as police said a settlement had been reached between the minister and the detained family.