I swear I’ve nothing to do with May 9, PTI and its politics: Saqib Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar Monday confirmed his contact with former DGISI Lt Gen (R) Faiz but categorically distanced himself from any wrongdoing, May 9 or the politics of PTI.

“I swear I have nothing to do with May 9 and the PTI and its politics,” said Nisar. Talking to The News from abroad, where he is on holidays these days, he said what is generally said and alleged against him is “totally nonsensical”. “I have nothing to do with any affairs of Gen Faiz,” he said but clarified that he had social interaction with Gen Faiz. He explained that he attended the wedding ceremony of Gen Faiz’s daughter and have been exchanging routine pleasantries and wishes on different occasions.

The former CJP said that during his and his family’s last visit to Northern Areas, Gen Faiz was very kind to look after them. During his tenure as Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar said that Gen Faiz used to meet his registrar besides occasionally sending him “for eyes only” messages. He clarified that Faiz never asked him for anything unfair or illegal. “He always respected me and was kind to me,” he said.

Saqib Nisar, however, categorically denied that he was in any manner involved in anything related to May 9, the PTI politics or in the kind of allegations being levelled by certain elements and in the social media.

“I have nothing to worry about,” he said and disclosed that he is returning to Pakistan on 5th of September. The retired justice recalled that last year when Aitzaz Ahsan was facing difficulties in reaching his Zaman Park Lahore house (because of the then situation surrounding Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence), he (Aitzaz) used to visit him in his office. He said that besides Aitzaz, at times Khawaja Tariq Raheem also used to come to his office. But these interactions were purely social.

The News on Monday published a story that disclosed that Gen Faiz Hameed, who is presently in military’s custody, and Saqib Nisar were in contact with each other. Referring to informed sources, The News report said that a probe by the authorities confirmed they were in contact. However, it was not explained what the nature of their interactions was – if it was simply a social relationship or had some political or criminal aspect.

The report added, “Background interaction with quarters concerned, however, showed that Saqib Nisar is also in the radar of authorities. These authorities insist that they have found some material against the former chief justice. As against the social media speculation that Saqib Nisar will also be taken into custody upon his return from abroad, no hint was given by these sources about the authorities’ intention to arrest the former CJP.”