Islamabad (Staff Report): Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appeared before the Supreme Court in a case pertaining to allotment of 1,800 kanal government’s land to an individual, Dewan Ghulam Qutab, in Pakpattan some 33 years ago.
A three-judge bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had summoned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo to appear before the court on December 4 (today) to explain his position in the case.
As the hearing began, the chief justice asked about the whereabouts of Sharif, who then came to the rostrum.
"What is your opinion of your written stance on the matter?" the judge asked.
"This is a 32-year-old incident. I don't remember any such order being passed," Sharif replied.
Justice Nisar then asked Sharif if he would like to be briefed on the background of the case.
"To do justice is not just the job of the court," the Justice Nisar told Sharif. "People in your position should also provide justice."
Responding to the bench’s query pertaining to the investigation of the matter, the deposed prime minister requested the apex court to refer the matter to anyone except a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
"My experience with JITs has not been good," Sharif informed the court.
"Mian sahab is afraid of joint investigation teams," the top judge remarked. "Mian sahab, we will make you the judge, you can decide for yourself. Decide within one week what must be done," he added.
"We wish to clear the reputation of a former two-time chief minister and three-time prime minister," the CJP said.
In 2015, former chief justice Nasirul Mulk had taken a suo motu notice over the illegal allotment of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Masud Ganj Shakar’s shrine land in 1985 in violation of the LHC order.
Nawaz was the chief minister of Punjab province when the land was transferred.