No connection with Paragon City: Saad

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq informed the Supreme Court on Saturday that he had nothing to do with the Paragon City/Developer and the twin tower project in Islamabad.

Pursuant to the court order, he appeared before a three-judge bench to explain his position and dispelled the public impression that he was involved in two projects.

Saad furnished an undertaking in the court, stating therein that he had no connection with the projects under question. However, the minister admitted that he had 35-year-long friendship with the Paragon City owner and had sold out some of his land to the society over the years.

The chief justice attached the suo motu with the LDA-City project, observing that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had already seized with matter and launched two different inquiries. “NAB is an independent body and it should work independently. The Supreme Court would not interfere into its domain.

During the hearing, the federal minister complained that a sponsored vilification media campaign had been launched against him on some television channels, which according to him, was politically-motivated. He also submitted his written statement before the bench.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar expressed satisfaction over his reply, however, he directed him to submit an affidavit to this effect by Monday.

On the other hand, senior lawyer and PPP outgoing Senator Aitzaz Ahsan exchanged interesting words with the chief justice over being fined for not appearing before the court in connection with the infant formula case.

Looking in a mood to settle the score, Aitzaz was present in the courtroom before the three-member bench, led by the chief justice had assembled, reading daily newspapers.

As the hearing commenced, Aitzaz questioned imposition of a fine of Rs 10, 000 and refused to pay it, asking the chief justice to withdraw the same. He also read out news item from three daily English newspapers.

However, the chief justice declined to withdraw the order which annoyed Aitzaz and he started to pass remarks. He said to the chief justice, “You look tense, indeed you are in tension,” adding that he had never been fined for a single rupee during his whole career.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan were other members of the bench.

Responding to Aitzaz’s remarks, the chief justice said: “Who suggested you that I am tense,” to which Aitzaz remarked, “It is visible that someone is causing you worries.”

As the situation was getting tense, Justice Bandial intervened and told Aitzaz the conduct of his associate was unbecoming of the profession, forcing the court to impose the fine.

“Your associate showed the influence of your chamber while standing in court. Whoever will do such a thing, then I will not differentiate between a junior and senior lawyer. Being a part of Aitzaz Ahsan’s chamber does not mean that you can do anything,” said the chief justice

“There would be no leniency if someone shows arrogance or tries to take leverage of being associated with the chamber of Aitzaz Ahsan,” he added.

“I have been punished for a speech I made on the floor of the House,” Aitzaz said and urged the court to withdraw the fine.

The chief justice, however, did not react to his remarks and tried to normalise the situation by asking him to argue the main case. But Aitzaz gave a cold shoulder and kept insisting that he would not pay the fine.

On this, Barrister Zafarullah said Aitzaz could submit the fine himself as he was a rich man. But the PPP senator said that he also gave charity but would not do it in such a way.

“I can pay the fine from my own pocket on your behalf or can also request Baji Bushra (wife of Aitzaz) to pay it,” the chief justice replied.

Reiterating his grievance, Aitzaz once again said to the chief justice, “Somebody is giving you worries.”

In a lighter mood with a smile on his face, Chief Justice Nisar replied with a local jargon in Urdu — tension lenay ka nahi… (no need to worry). But he did not utter the complete jargon which says tension lenay ka nahi …… deney ka (no need to worry, rather make other worry).

The court had previously fined Aitzaz Rs 10,000 due to his request for time-extension by his associate, terming it unreasonable. Meanwhile, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case for two weeks with a direction to the lawyers of the parties involved in it to come with a solution as to how the wrong impression about formula milk in public could be dispelled.

Separately, the bench directed the Punjab chief secretary to present a complete record of bulletproof vehicles bought for the foreign consultants engaged by the Saaf Pani Project.

The chief secretary told the court that Home Department had sent recommendation to procure bulletproof vehicles in the wake of security threats as the foreign consultants from a German company have to travel to southern Punjab and tribal areas.

He said the process of converting locally purchased vehicles into bulletproof had been halted after the court showed its concerns.

The chief justice adjourned the hearing till March 31 and also directed the chief secretary to make a detailed representation on the Saaf Pani Project.