LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday ordered the Punjab IGP to provide security to Ayesha Ahad Malik, who claims herself to be wife of PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz, and also register a case as directed by a sessions court against all those involved in torturing Ms Malik and her daughter.

“Lodge a case today if this order is still in field,” the chief justice directed the police chief while handing over a copy of the sessions court’s 2011 order on the complaint of Ms Malik.

CJP Nisar observed if the order had not been set aside by a higher court, the case should be lodged immediately.

“Why do you get upset on my orders,” the chief justice asked IGP Arif Nawaz while reading his face expressions.

Asks IGP to provide security to mother and daughter

CJP Nisar had taken a suo motu on a complaint of Ayesha Ahad Malik who had approached him against delay in her cases and threats to her and her daughter’s lives. She said a sessions court had in 2011 ordered police to lodge a case against Hamza Shahbaz, Ali Imran, Rana Sanaullah, former Sindh IG Rana Maqbool, former additional IG investigation Zulfiqar Cheema and others. However, she said the case was never lodged.

The chief justice directed Advocate General of Punjab Asma Hamid to ensure appearance of Hamza in court by 1am. “The court cannot see anyone’s life under threat,” the chief justice observed.

The chief justice also asked Punjab Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafiq, who was present in court for another case, about the availability of Hamza. The minister said he had no knowledge about Hamza.

After a while, the advocate general informed the court that Hamza was out of the country and would return within three to four days.

At this, Chief Justice Nisar adjourned hearing till June 29 and directed the IGP to provide complete security to Ayesha Malik and submit record of cases registered against her. He further directed police chief to fix responsibility on officials involved in delaying registration of the torture case despite court’s order.

It all started in 2011 when the Defence-A police arrested Ayesha Ahad Malik and her daughter in a kidnap for ransom case. A Filipino woman had accused Ms Malik of kidnapping her son for ransom.

A judge of an anti-terrorism court had also allowed police 10-day physical remand of Ms Malik but the Lahore High Court had suspended it and also questioned the integrity of the trial judge. The high court had ordered an inquiry against the judge for granting remand without applying judicial mind.

Later, Ms Malik filed a petition before the sessions court for registration of a case against police officials for keeping her and her young daughter in illegal custody and also subjecting them to torture. She alleged that Hamza Shahbaz, Rana Sanaullah Khan, Ali Imran (son in-law of Shahbaz Sharif) and some police officers were behind the whole episode.

Ms Malik had also contested the 2013 general election against Hamza from NA-119. She also filed a civil suit to stop Hamza from contracting marriage with Dr Rabia Khan. Ms Malik claimed that Hamza had not divorced her and she was still his wife.

However, Hamza Shahbaz did not discuss the issue in media by denying or accepting the claim of Ms Malik.

Removal of LGH principal

The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the Punjab government to remove principal of the Post Graduate Medical Institute/Lahore General Hospital (LGH), Dr Ghayaus Nabi Tayyab, and appoint a new incumbent within two months through an independent search committee.

A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case regarding condition of public hospitals in Punjab.

The chief justice observed that Dr Tayyab had been serving as principal simultaneously for Amiruddin Medical College, Post Graduate Medical Institute and Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, all attached to the LGH. He told the chief secretary he knew Dr Tayyab had not been appointed through an independent committee.

During the hearing, the chief justice also warned Primary Health Services Secretary Ali Jan not to cross limits and stop victimising his subordinate women. He ordered the chief secretary to make Mr Jan officer on special duty and post him to Balochistan, but later withdrew the order after Mr Jan apologised.

Punjab University VC case

The court gave a go-ahead to the provincial government to appoint Prof Dr Niaz Akhtar as vice chancellor of the Punjab University as recommended by a search committee.

Earlier, Higher Education Secretary Nabeel Awan submitted a report of the search committee and stated that Prof Akhtar had been selected after he topped the interview.

PKLI forensic audit

Hearing a suo motu case regarding the salary of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) Chief Executive Dr Saeed Akhtar, the CJP decided that the court would have a forensic audit conducted of the institute.

Earlier, Dr Akhtar appeared before the court and disclosed that he received Rs1.2 million and his wife Rs0.8 million as monthly salary.

The CJP told the doctor to be ready for accountability as he had earned enough money from his job.

“We heard that you have displayed a portrait of the former chief minister in your office instead of Quaid-i-Azam or Allama Iqbal,” the CJP asked Dr Akhtar.

Hearing was adjourned till Sunday (today) and all record of the institute’s board of directors summoned.

Railway losses

Chartered accountancy firm AF Ferguson submitted before the SC terms of references for the five-year forensic audit of Pakistan Railways.

The CJP had taken suo motu notice of losses in the railways and decided to get its forensic audit conducted through a private firm. He directed a representative of the accountancy firm to complete the audit process within six weeks.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2018