Justice Kazim, PML-N leaders trade barbs

LAHORE: In the aftermath of NA-122 verdict annulling the election of the National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders and the judge of the election tribunal Justice (retd) Kazim Malik have traded barbs in the media.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah accused the judge, who wrote the verdict, of seeking a Pakistan Muslim League-N ticket for his son in General Election 2013. Rana Sana said when the PML-N failed to meet his demand, the judge turned against the party.
However, Justice Malik said he would tender his resignation if Rana Sanaullah substantiates his allegation with proof. The judge labelled Rana Sanaullah’s accusations as a ‘pile of rubbish’. Kazim Malik said Rana Sana should provide a copy of The application submitted for the PML-N ticket as a proof.
He said his son did not have ties with any political party. The judge said his son was an employee of a bank currently.
Earlier, a similar accusation was also hurled at Justice (retd) Kazim Malik by former speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’.
Justice Malik also expressed his intention to send a legal notice to the Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid for levelling allegations against him.
Justice Malik accused the federal minister of hurling life threats on him following the NA-122 case verdict. Talking at a private TV channel, Justice Malik said he had written a letter to Pervaiz Rashid over his threatening tone. “I will not spare Pervaiz Rashid at any cost and pursue the matter legally,” he said.
Rejecting the PML-N’s allegation of being biased, he said the ruling party was annoyed over the unfavourable ruling in the case. “I have never accepted governments’ unlawful dictations,” Justice Malik said. He said that when he had given verdicts in favour of PML-N leaders Raheel Asghar and Saad Rafique, they were because of Rana Sanaullah’s fear.