ISLAMABAD: The Sup­reme Court on Friday wrapped up a case relating to misbehaviour by Gilgit-Baltistan Tou­rism Minister Fida Hussain with an officer of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after the former tendered an apology.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar disposed of the case with an observation that the minister had tendered an unqualified apology to the nation as well as to the gentleman he had humiliated.

The chief justice took suo motu notice of the incident of Nov 16 after a video clip went viral on social media that showed a man pushing an official at New Islamabad Inter­national Airport and burning his own luggage in protest against an inordinate delay in a flight.

The incident happened when a Gilgit-bound PIA flight scheduled for 7am was first delayed due to technical reasons and cancelled later that day due to bad weather.

“Since the minister has shown repentance with a clear declaration that such behaviour will not be repeated, we withdraw the notice,” the court’s order said.

Earlier, the minister drafted an apology letter with the help of Deputy Attorney General Syed Nayab Hassan Gardezi and read it out in the court. The letter said: “In response to the notice, I hereby submit myself to the mercy of the Honourable Court.

“That I am sincerely repentful of my act committed by me at the New International Airport Islamabad and submit that it ought not to have happened. In view of my heartfelt repentance I tender unconditional apology from the nation and concerned arrival in-charge of PIA and submit myself to the mercy of the Honourable Court with sincere assurance that such acts will not be repeated in any manner whatsoever in future,” the application added.

“We are disposing of the matter in view of our love for the Gilgit-Baltistan people,” Chief Justice Nisar said.

At the beginning of the hearing, the bench censured Mr Hussain and asked him if he felt any remorse over the incident.

The court also took the inspector general of Islamabad police, Amir Zulfikar Khan, to task and asked him if had taken any action over the incident and whether or not a case had been registered against the minister.

Mr Khan replied the airport where the incident took place did not fall in the jurisdiction of Islamabad police but that of Punjab police.

The bench asked Mr Hussain whether or not he had pushed the PIA officer. The minister replied that he did shove the gentleman.

“Were you in your senses when you pushed him?” asked the chief justice.

The minister explained he did not act with mala fide intentions.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2018