ISLAMABAD, AUG 15: The Supreme Court has issued a notice of contempt of court to Luqman Ali Afzal, the owner of Monal Restaurant. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa heard the case of commercial activities and a housing society in Margalla Hills National Park. Isa expressed his anger at Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal.
The chief justice asked why Afzal should not be indicted? “Tell the truth, who is behind the notification of the wildlife department? On whose request was the notification for the welfare board chairperson issued?” he asked. In reply, Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal said he was unaware and according to his knowledge, the orders to change the wildlife board head were issued by the prime minister.
The CJP said the cabinet secretary has put the blame on the PM to save his brother, pushing the prime minister under the bus. “Just buy off people to spread propaganda. Whatever I have bought in life has been with my own earnings. Destroy every institution. If you have courage, come to the court and tell us what is wrong. Everyone has an agenda. The whole government is standing in court today but no one knows anything,” he remarked.
During the hearing of the case, CJP Isa remarked that the country is now in the hands of the land mafia.
“We were the first ones to raise a finger at the Supreme Court, and sent back those occupying seats or 10 years. There was clamour over sending back those on deputation. There are many allegations against the chief justice. They resort to personal attack and abuse. I believe in freedom of expression. No action has been taken against anyone till date. If the cabinet secretary does not speak the trust, he will suffer the consequences,” the CJP remarked.
The chief justice questioned why the CDA should not be transferred from the Ministry of Interior to Housing? “What is the link between the Interior Ministry and housing and town planning? This is like handing over the Railways department to the Education Ministry. Why not issue a notice of the Interior Ministry? We should ask the Interior Ministry why the CDA should not be taken from it? Why are these matters not discussed in parliament?” the CJP questioned.
CJP Isa said this is not a matter of the cabinet, but it is the authority of parliament. “A powerful interior minister must have come and asked for the control of the CDA. We understand the distribution of powers, but if it is against public interest or the Constitution, it is a different matter. We had to interrogate the cabinet secretary and extract information. The CDA chairman said the Interior Ministry is needed to implement orders.”
The judge asked what has happened to the bureaucracy of Pakistan. “Have you ever served in any district?” The CDA chairman said he has been an assistant commissioner.
The court declared that Luqman Ali Afzal should be asked why contempt of court action should not be taken against him. Luqman Ali Afzal did propaganda against the judges after the court decision. Apparently, he is committing contempt of court on the media. Luqman Ali Afzal has committed contempt of court in retrospect, as he had assured the court of shutting down the restaurant from Margalla Hills.
