The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred former federal minister for science and technology Azam Swati’s case to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and police for further investigation, adding that the bench will examine his qualification on the basis of findings of these departments.
Swati’s counsel Ali Zafar requested the court to dispose of the case to ensure a fair trial under Article 10A of the constitution. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, however, declined and said Swati belongs to the ruling party and thus the report should be submitted to ensure fairness.
While hearing the case pertaining to assets beyond known sources of income relating to the former minister, the chief justice said the court was not wrapping up the case. Further decision will be taken after the final report, he observed. The chief justice said misuse of authority by the former minister had also been exposed. The case will now reach its conclusion, he added. The court also admonished Islamabad Inspector General of Police Amir Zulfiqar over his ‘inaction’ against Azam Swati for misusing his powers. “If you can’t do the justice, how could you be an IGP? The impression about you has gone bad,” he remarked. Faisal Siddiqui, who was appointed amicus curiae by the Supreme Court, opposed Swati’s disqualification in a written reply, pleading that there was no legal precedent available to disqualify Swati. The top court had sought legal assistance from Khalid Javed and Faisal Siddiqui on applicability of Article 62(1)(f) of the constitution on Swati, who allegedly used his influence on police to victimise the family of Niaz.
Published in Daily Times, January 9th 2019.
