SC seeks recommendations to form commission in judge’s video scandal

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Issuing the notices, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday sought recommendations from the attorney general over demand to form commission in the judge Arshad Malik video scandal case. During the hearing, the applicant’s lawyer presented his arguments, saying that the SC should take suo motto in the matter. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, hearing a number of petitions seeking a probe into the video leak case, has remarked that the court does not take suo-moto notices on anyone’s demands. The CJP also said that the commission report can impact on the appeal in high court, however, the petitioner can tell what he want. He remarked that the issue of judge Arshad Malik will be heard by the court, however, the dust must settle regarding the issue. The court issued a notice to the Attorney General and asked for recommendations in the case. Later, the top court adjourned the hearing until July 23. The SC is hearing the alleged video scandal case of judge Arshad Malik, who was removed from post last week upon Islamabad High Court’s request. It was reported that at least 1000 security personnel deployed in Red Zone and premises of the apex court.

Judge Bashir given additional charge of Accountability Court II

On the other hand, the Law Ministry gave additional charge of Accountability Court II to Judge Mohammad Bashir, days after the removal of Judge Arshad Malik. The IHC had recommended the law ministry to give Judge Bashir additional charge of Accountability Court II until a new judge is appointed in place of Judge Malik. A notification has also been issued in this regard. On July 12, the IHC acting chief justice had asked the ministry to remove Judge Malik from his position as an accountability court judge until an investigation into a video scandal involving him was completed. It is noteworthy Judge Malik had sentenced Nawaz Sharif to jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case. Nawaz’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz, had alleged that the accountability court judge was pressured into sentencing the former premier. During a press conference, Maryam had claimed the judge was blackmailed into convicting Nawaz without any evidence and had admitted that. According to her, Judge Malik called PML-N leader Nasir Butt to his house himself to clear his conscience and she showed a video clip from their meeting. However, in his letter to the IHC, Judge Malik denied Maryam’s accusations and said that there had never been any pressure on him to announce verdicts. In an affidavit submitted to the IHC, Malik denied the contents of the video — which purportedly showed him admitting to a lack of evidence against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — and termed them edited, fabricated, and aimed to defame him. The SC had taken up the case for hearing on July 16. The apex court under Chief of Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa will hear the case today.