Only COAS can tell about his meeting with PM, says SC

• Justice Khwaja says action will be taken against prime minister if oath violation proved
• Says COAS will have to submit affidavit in court to ascertain petitioner’s claim

Hearing a plea seeking Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja Thursday observed that action would be taken against the premier if it was proved that he violated his oath.

Making it clear that the petitioner will not be allowed to take back the plea now, the court said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Raheel Sharif will have to submit an affidavit to ascertain petitioner’s claim as only the army chief could tell the court about the details of his meeting with the premier.

Justice Khwaja said that the petition was filed after reading a report in the newspapers but now the matter will not stop here and everyone concerned will have to come to the court and record statements. He said it should also be ascertained what discussion took place between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and the army chief.

Justice Dost Muhammad asked the petitioner’s lawyer, Tahir Nawaz Sindhu, whether he could produce the army chief as a witness or his affidavit in the court.

The court said the entire Parliament would be disqualified if it accepted the petitioner’s claim on the lawmakers’ eligibility in line with articles 62 and 63 Constitution pertaining to them been Sadiq (truthful) and Ameen (trustworthy).

“No one is at par with Sahaba Karam (RA) in Sadaqat (truthfulness) and Amanat (trustworthiness),” Justice Dost Muhammad said.

The court adjourned the hearing till Oct 15.