Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chief Imran Khan on Friday cast a spotlight on rumours circulating about the incoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and newly appointed army chief on Friday, saying there is an impression that they are sympathisers of the ruling government.
“Khursheed Shah said the impression is that the new CJ’s sympathy is with PML-N," Khan told journalists in Lahore referring to the senior PPP lawmaker’s speech in Parliament a day earlier.
“There is also this impression that the changes in the army are for PML-N,” Khan added. “I don't know if there is truth to this. All I know is that when Maryam Nawaz tweets saying a storm has passed... what does it mean? They [PML-N] themselves are giving weight to the perception that the change that has come is suiting them.”
Khan was referring to a tweet by Maryam Nawaz, which was posted when the Supreme Court said the Panama Papers case will resume with the next hearing, which will take place in January under a new chief justice.
Although such remarks aimed at the head of the military and apex court are rare, opposition parties have hit out at the PML-N and raised questions about the new appointments.
Khan further said that Panama Papers case involving Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family is pending in the Supreme Court.
“How has the storm passed? A new CJ and new COAS have come. What message are you giving people? This is a wrong impression."
“They are hurting the public's confidence in institutions.”
Khan was reiterating a statement made by Opposition leader Khursheed Shah in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Shah had said, “It is irritating when we hear the incoming chief justice is the PML-N’s own man."
“Perhaps you (PML-N) do not say this, but the people do,” the opposition leader said to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who had responded to Shah's statement by asking him not to make the chief justice's appointment controversial.
Earlier this month, Awami Muslim League leader Shaikh Rasheed in an interview to DawnNews said the new Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa was appointed "not on merit but for his loyalty to the ruling party."
Panamagate case
Proceedings in the Panamagate case, which could possibly lead to the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ended Dec 9 almost with a whimper when the Supreme Court said that arguments from both sides would commence afresh when the hearing resumes in January.
Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali in the order said that “these matters shall not be treated as part heard”, meaning the arguments from both sides would commence afresh when the proceeding resumes.
