ISLAMABAD – The appointment of Supreme Court’s Justice Ijazul Ahsan as supervisory judge for the multiple references to be filed by National Accountability Bureau against members of Sharif family has been challenged in the apex court.
An application against the appointment has been filed by Watan Party head Barrister Zafarullah in Lahore Registry terming the decision a violation of justice.
The application states that every citizen has right of being tried transparently under the Constitution of Pakistan, adding, the court is responsible for protection of basic human rights.
Appointment
On August 2, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had assigned the task to Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan.
In its judgment on July 28, the top court besides disqualifying prime minister Nawaz Sharif had ordered country’s graft-buster to file references against Nawaz Sharif, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Ishaq Dar, Captain Safdar and others.
But the apex court also urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to appoint a judge of Supreme Court who would monitor the progress in terms of these references.
Then the Chief Justice formally green lighted Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan to keep an eye on the references that are to be filed within a period of six weeks from July 28.
Not only that the top court ordered to wind up the probe regarding multiple offshore companies and financial dealings of Sharif family in a span of six months from the day of filing references.
Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan was also part of the five-member bench which heard the landmark Panama case initiated in November last year.
In its interim order on April 20, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan was among three judges who preferred formation of a Joint Investigation Team to look into wheelings and dealings of ‘House of Sharif’ before disqualifying Nawaz Sharif as chief executive of the country.
After having received the extensive report by the six-member inquiry panel, the three member bench comprising Justice Azmat Saeed, Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan conducted five hearings and reserved the judgment.
On last Friday, the apex court announced the verdict according to which the premier Nawaz Sharif was not sagacious, righteous, non-profligate, Sadiq and Ameen (honest) and so his authority as a legislator was annulled following which the ruling party elected Khaqan Abbasi as premier.
