CJ Jawwad Khawaja made landmark decisions in 24-day tenure

ISLAMABAD: In a short tenure of three weeks, the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up major cases which were left unattended for decades, leaving behind a rich legacy with some landmark decisions on key issues facing people of Pakistan.
The Supreme Court, under Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up corruption cases in various government departments including the anti-corruption watchdog itself and delivered a historic verdict on making Urdu the official language of the country.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja served as the Chief Justice of Pakistan for just 24 days before retiring after attaining superannuation. His short tenure will be remembered for his landmark decisions and his attempt to reform key state institutions.
Under Justice Jawwad, the Supreme Court exposed the failure of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in resolving mega corruption scams. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by the chief justice ordered NAB to probe its ex-chairman Fasih Bokhari for corruption and misuse of authority.
The Supreme Court also formed a commission to look into functioning of NAB after hearing complaints on failure of the anti-corruption watchdog to punish the culprits involved in mega corruption scam. On Justice Jawwad’s order NAB presented a list of 29 mega corruption scams.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court also directed the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) to audit the accounts of 13 state institutions including the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Wah Nobel Company, National Bank of Pakistan, Pak China Investment, SECP, OPF Welfare Trust and OPF Welfare Funds. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad ruled that these state institutions do not enjoy any immunity from the audit of accounts under the Constitution of Pakistan. The apex court ordered DHA to provide all required documents to the auditor general for audit of its accounts.
Justice Jawwad-led Supreme Court also ordered the government to immediately make Urdu the official language of the country. The court in its verdict announced on Tuesday that Article 251 of the Constitution should be implemented as it was written in the Constitution that Urdu would replace English as the official language in the country within 15 years.
The court has issued nine directions to the government regarding the implementation of Urdu as the official language of the country. The decision is likely to benefit millions of Pakistanis who are unable to comprehend official letters and notifications written in English language.
The outgoing chief justice had joined the Supreme Court in 2009. He was the first and only superior court judge to resign in protest against the suspension of ex-chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry by former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf.