ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday changed its Aug 29 order seeking complete details of assets and properties of former president Asif Ali Zardari and his slain wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

A three-judge SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, which had taken up a case relating to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), now required Mr Zardari to furnish within a fortnight details of assets he and his children received in inheritance from Ms Bhutto. Mr Zardari is also required to submit details of his assets as well as those of his children.

Earlier, the court had asked the former president to furnish fresh statements highlighting foreign assets or properties since 2007 both moveable and immovable held abroad as well as details of bank accounts, if opened in the name of Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack on Dec 27, 2007, and in the names of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Bakhtawar and Aseefa, in addition to the information regarding Swiss accounts.

But the decision was altered after a review petition was moved by Mr Zardari through his counsel Farooq H. Naek in which he feared that asking for details of assets of Benazir Bhutto amounted to aiding a petitioner to conduct a trial of the grave of a martyr.

The review petition also argued that such details had nothing to do with the case and asking for such details was out of context and against fundamental rights.

Assures security, medical and other facilities for Gen Musharraf, seeks time frame of his return

The court was hearing the petition of Advocate Feroz Shah Gilani, president of Lawyers’ Foundation for Justice, seeking the recovery of public money wasted against the backdrop of NRO allegedly by former presidents Pervez Musharraf and Asif Ali Zardari and former attorney general Malik Mohammad Qayyum.

When the counsel argued that his client was directed to submit an affidavit on a case moved under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, the CJP observed that the case had been taken up under Article 184 since the matter was related to the wealth of the nation.

In response to the defence counsel’s comment that a trial of Ms Benazir’s grave was being conducted, the CJP said one could not even think of conducting the trial of the former prime minister.

“Ms Bhutto was assassinated during your government’s tenure, yet you were unable to hold a trial on her murder,” the CJP remarked.

At defence counsel Latif Khosa reminded the Supreme Court that appeals against the acquittal of suspects in the Benazir murder case had been moved in the apex court, but they had not been heard so far.

SC seeks time frame of Musharraf’s return

Referring to former president Pervez Musharraf, the Supreme Court offered to his counsel Akhtar Shah provision of high-level security to retired Gen Musharraf through the Rangers whenever he returned Pakistan to face a pending treason case against him. The bench directed his counsel to inform the court about the time frame of his return within a week.

The CJP wondered why Gen Musharraf, who left the country on the pretext of pain in the backbone, had not come back when he could be seen partying abroad.

In response, the counsel for the former military dictator assured the court that his client respected the judiciary but could not return due to security issues.

The CJP said wherever Gen Musharraf landed the paramilitary force of Pakistan Rangers in that province would be responsible for his security.

The court also assured the facility of best available doctors to Gen Musharraf’s choice of AFIC or CMH if he returned.

In addition, the Chak Shahzad farmhouse of the former president would be de-sealed rather would be cleaned up for his accommodation whenever he came back. Moreover, the travel documents would also be issued to him whenever he decided to move back from the UAE.

The counsel, however, insisted that Gen Musharraf could only travel on the advice of his doctors. The CJP reminded him that he went out of Dubai to deliver lectures and that the court could ask for his travel history. Not any more, the counsel remarked.

On Aug 29, an affidavit was also moved on behalf of Gen Musharraf showing an apartment in the UAE worth AED5.4million, Mercedes Car model 2015 worth AED230,000, Tahoe Jeep model 2017 worth AED150,000, Impala car model 2018 worth AED130,000. Likewise, Gen Musharraf also maintains a bank account in the Union National Bank Dubai with a balance of AED 92,100, United Bank at London (UK) with a balance of pounds 21,550 as well as shares in the Dana Gas worth AED268,653.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2018