The Supreme Court on Monday ordered former finance minister Ishaq Dar to appear before the court within three days. A three-member bench was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the appointment of former Pakistan Television chairman Ata-ul-Haq Qasmi as managing director of the state-run television and the amount of salary and perks he received as MD and chief.
“Ishaq Dar is involved in the case,” Justice Nisar said
“We are giving Dar another chance. He should appear before the court within three days,” the bench remarked while directing that summons be sent to the former finance minister’s house.
“Dar is absconding and we will conduct an inquiry if he fails to appear before the court again,” the chief justice observed.
Early in the day, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar warned former finance minister Ishaq Dar of cancelling his passport over persistent absence in assets beyond income reference despite being summoned.
During the hearing, the top judge asked the attorney general of Pakistan if Dar was present in the court, to which, he said that the former minister is in London.
Showing resentment over no-show, the chief justice warned that the court would revoke the passport of Dar as he failed to attend the court hearing.
He added that the Supreme Court would mull over issuing red warrants against the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who had also been declared absconders by an accountability court in a corruption reference.
He vowed to take all measures to bring back the former finance minister to Pakistan. The chief justice also summoned the Ministry of Interior official to brief the court about the steps necessary for his return.
On July 5, former finance minister Ishaq Dar, former federal information secretary Muhammad Azam and former finance secretary Waqar Masood were ordered to appear before court July 9 in connection with the case.
During a previous hearing, the top judge had asked the political analyst to return Rs 270 million in the national exchequer so that the case could be shelved.
Published in Daily Times, July 10th 2018.
