It’s time to bring things out in the open: CJP

By
fraaz
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5
129

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Monday rejected requests by Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan and former DG-ISI Lt General (retd) Asad Durrani to use classified documents without sharing it in public and returned the documents telling Asghar Khan that if he claimed classification over the documents produced before the court, then the bench would not be in a position to use the same. The bench is probing a 16-year-old petition moved by former air chief over alleged distribution of an amount of Rs140 million among the anti-PPP politicians by former Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Baig and DG-ISI under directions from late President Ghulam Ishaq Khan before the 1990 general elections to manipulate results in favour of establishment-backed Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI).
During the hearing, Asghar Khan produced secret documents before the Supreme Court while claiming confidentiality of the classified documents. The chief justice observed that it was time for the court to bring matters in public in a transparent manner. General (retd) Asad Durrani apprised the bench that these documents were classified due to the sensitivity of the issue and pleaded that the names contained in it should be kept in secret. The chief justice told him that he should have also produced supporting documents as evidence before the court over the allegations. Justice Jawad S Khawja said that out of a number of individuals only one had admitted receiving money. The bench also inquired from Attorney General for Pakistan, Irfan Qadir, about the notification regarding establishment of secret political cell in Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). The AG replied that the new defence secretary had taken over charge and he would be contacting him soon. However, he produced a sealed envelop containing some confidential documents before the bench upon which it directed its court assistant to submit it with the Registrar Office. Commander Shahbaz, Director Legal in the Defence Ministry, apprised the court that there was no such notification with the ministry. Salman Akram Raja, counsel for Asad Durrani, said that probably it could be the memo and not notification as the judicial record showed a reference to the letter of attorney general at that time during 1997. Justice Khawaja observed that probably they were groping in the dark. Adjourning the case for four weeks, the bench asked the AG to contact the new defence secretary for the required documents besides advising Asad Durrani to keep his documents in his safe custody and produce if required by the bench.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. After 16 years? Its way past time to name the people who sold out. Not that it would bring any shame to them but atleast we'll know who could be bought and for how much. I think their rates should be posted online 🙂

  3. Mr. Chief Justice, Sir. Please, Sir, reveal the names and do not care about what these corrupt and careless ex-employees of the GOP say to the Supreme Court. The people have a right to know and you are under a trust to the nation to reveal the names.
    For sixty-five years, we have been hearing nothing but national security, national security, and more national security.
    PM Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated in 1951 but to date we do not know of the assassin and the entire sordid affair. The people have a right to know.
    The nation was dismembered in 1971and again the culprits exposed by the Hamoodur Rahman Commission and in addition the names of the so-called foreign friends involved is being withheld. The people have a right to know.
    The late PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged at the gallows, so it is said. What is the truth behind it? The people have a right to know.
    What has happened to the Freedom of Information law announced by the late Malik Meraj Khalid? Again, Sir, the people have a right to know.
    What is the real cause of President Ziaul Haque's plane crash? The people have a right to know.
    Sir, maybe you are not in a position to decide but nevertheless, the people have a right to know. Please accept my Salams and have a nice day.

  4. The truth will set us free.

    But perhaps the truth is too bitter a pill to swallow, even for the Supreme Court.

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