LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday summoned a complete record of approval given by the former prime minister for the use of luxury vehicles.

The chief justice observed that the court would analyse as to how and under what law the former prime minister approved the utilisation of luxury vehicles by cabinet members.

Earlier, former federal law minister Zahid Hamid appeared before the court to explain the use of luxury cars.

When asked by the court, the former minister said he had only one car in his use with the approval by the federal cabinet. However, he expressed his ignorance about the vehicles’ entitlement policy for the ministers.

The additional attorney general stated that the prime minister had approved an above 1800cc car for the former law minister due to security reasons.

However, the chief justice observed that in other countries the prime minister could not even allot a kiosk to anyone. But in Pakistan the ministers used luxury cars with the taxpayers’ money, he lamented.

Meanwhile, the law officer stated that 30 luxury cars given to ministers beyond entitlement had been withdrawn in the light of the court’s order.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2018