PM chides Zafar Mirza for not pleading govt case in SC effectively
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday reprimanded his Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza for his “irresponsible” attitude during his recent appearance before the Supreme Court and not pleading the case of the federal government regarding the coronavirus situation effectively in the court.
Sources told Dawn that the prime minister took serious note of Dr Mirza’s “non-serious” attitude and assailed him for not presenting the untiring efforts of the government to control the pandemic in the country properly.
A source said the prime minister was of the view that the special assistant was duty-bound to present the government’s achievements in the fight against coronavirus in an “effective” and “humble” manner. The prime minister observed that Dr Mirza, during his recent appearance before the Supreme Court, had failed to give satisfactory replies to the court’s queries.
At a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday, the prime minister had, in the presence of Dr Mirza, expressed displeasure and said the government gave due respect to the Supreme Court and the chief justice and any “irresponsible” and “non-serious” attitude from any public office holder and member of the cabinet would not be tolerated.
Later, a notice issued by the Prime Minister Office stated that PM Khan had taken a very serious view of “the recent campaign on social media in which uncalled, immoderate and intemperate language has been used against the superior judiciary of Pakistan, including the chief justice”. It said the prime minister had directed the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency to look into the malicious campaign and depute a team of suitable officers to track down the culprits involved therein and take necessary legal action as per the relevant laws.
Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2020
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Comments (53) Closed
Apr 16, 2020 08:07am
Everyone in the cabinet is like him only. No responsibility. And you have sent this guy for SAARC meeting. Good visions step.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:10am
Another sad day for us! Everything is always someone else’s fault! This attitude of passing the blame onto others is becoming a habit of the noble kindheart. Wish we had a strong leader.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:22am
So at last IK agrees that his advisor Dr. Mirza is incapable to handle his responsibilities. This was obvious to everyone since long, but IK just realised it after the CJ reprimanded ans asked for removal of Dr. Mirza. This was the same person sent to represent the country at the SAARC meeting. Likewise there are several other incompetent ministers in the cabinet including our FM Qureshi. He too hasn't achieved anything during his tenure except giving unsubtantiated comments which were proved wrong later. IK should remove all these dead wood if he has to prove his capabilities as a PM.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:24am
This is what happens when you dont appoint people on merit.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:33am
The simple fact is that the Special Assistant refrained from speaking lies.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:52am
Chide... He is the only grownup in the room.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:58am
Who hired Dr. Mirza? Strong and competent leaders hire competent and able subordinates. Who should we blame for this fiasco in the first place? Dr. Mirza or PMIK?
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Apr 16, 2020 08:59am
He was just emulating our brave leader.
Salute Dr.Mirza's resolve to be true to his consciousness.
IK's leadership tenet- when you cant show action, shout out at high tone and claim victory! the story continues yet again.......
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Apr 16, 2020 09:15am
This also show the seriousness of govt. to face Covid19 crisis in country... He was sent as face of pakistan in SAARC conference
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Apr 16, 2020 09:21am
@Fastrack , are you thinking about the dishonest leaders of the past?
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Apr 16, 2020 09:22am
How much more incompetent can Imran Khan get?
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Apr 16, 2020 10:10am
@Fastrack , Wow , now where is your blind trust on Imran .
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Apr 16, 2020 10:14am
@Dawn, so what is IK dishonest or disloyal.
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Apr 16, 2020 10:45am
Stop trying to fool people and accept your incapacity to lead and retire gracefully while you still can..
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Apr 16, 2020 10:48am
It is failure of PM himself as he appointed Dr. Mirza. In Pakistan, already we have some successful health administrators such as Dr. Adibul Hassan Rizvi. Why people who worked abroad/in international organizations are made special assistant/advisor? We should appoint successful administrators working within Pakistan in various sectors on government key positions.
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Apr 16, 2020 10:49am
Why is Dr. Zafar Mirza even needed in the govt.? Let Control and Command Ctr. handle things.
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Apr 16, 2020 11:11am
As if the federal govt has a case. The signature ik incompetence is bare now for all to see
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Apr 16, 2020 11:19am
@shan, "This is what happens when you dont appoint people on merit."
He himself is a selected leader. What you expect from him?
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Apr 16, 2020 11:38am
It's pack up time.
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Apr 16, 2020 11:58am
@Fastrack , Maybe time to acknowledge that the "noble kindheart" was a fine cricketer but is a simplistic, befuddled, stubborn, arrogant, 'Kaptan' of a country greatly in need of enlightened leadership.
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Apr 16, 2020 12:08pm
This was obvious the fallout will be on Mirza..
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Apr 16, 2020 12:08pm
Dealt well with the situation, May could not present his viewpoint in front of the Superior Court.
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Apr 16, 2020 12:20pm
Who selected these incompetent persons, now one can easily gauge the capability of that person
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Apr 16, 2020 12:22pm
@UIOP, And he hit a Six in Saarc!
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Apr 16, 2020 12:29pm
PM IK is ordering Dr Zafar Mirza to lie under oath. PM should go before the SC instead of getting the dirty work done through someone else.
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Apr 16, 2020 12:29pm
All on the same page. but Wrong Book!!
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Apr 16, 2020 12:31pm
@Naxalite, Was actually a hit wicket !
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Apr 16, 2020 12:32pm
Now who is Small and who is Tall?
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Apr 16, 2020 12:48pm
Hey,do not lose Dr. Sahib. He is an asset.
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Apr 16, 2020 12:50pm
Zafar mirza is one of the most capable members of the cabinet in their relevant fields. He bas done best in this pandemic. His tireless efforts has saved the country from a bigger loss so for. Death rate is much slower then projected in the country. I have personally witnessed the govt. Efforts in this regard. One thing, we all need to understand is " This is a PANDEMIC" most developed countries are still bearing highest deaths in the wolrd. So be calm, trust your government and avoid politics.
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Apr 16, 2020 12:51pm
Either IK or Dr Mirza is at wrong or not is another issue. But the attitude of Supreme Court is not acceptable in any society like that. If Judges are not happy how things are conducted, they should leave their position and participate in elections.
All over the world govts are blamed for not doing enough and now is not the time to derail the whole system, rather help them push them and eventually when its all over then open the inquiry for any wrongdoings.
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Apr 16, 2020 01:03pm
@Shaukat, "IK should remove all these dead wood if he has to prove his capabilities as a PM."
and hire everyone from the comment section.
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Apr 16, 2020 01:11pm
Brown Nosing the judiciary. Giving them more space to expand their domain beyond the constitutional boundaries
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Apr 16, 2020 01:31pm
number 1, why is SC meddling in health matter.
social media will speak its mind. good thing is that no one can stop it, only force block sites,
i have not seen recording of Aitizaz Ahsan's talk on off the record. now he spoke the truth, and sadly we can not absorb this truth
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Apr 16, 2020 01:51pm
@Fastrack , IK never named MIrza, its the media telling the sensational stuff as if he did. People on Social Media feel that Judiciary has overplayed its hand and has a bad record of trying to be an Executive also, under the umbrella of Suo Motu, is shameful, as the SCJ do not have medical or admin expertise to manage this crisis.
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Apr 16, 2020 02:15pm
@Shaukat, Yeah, I can speak of a few incompetent ministers in the cabinet, That Wawda guy who was giving so many jobs in ten days that people from foreign lands would line up in front of Pakistani missions abroad to get a visa to work here. Then there is the one who walks around with 100 grams nukes in his pockets. Although there are a few brilliant and hard working ones too. Like that most brilliant scientist in the world and the Head of Pakistan's Science and Technology, who is now a minister too. He has also made a hi-tech fully Made in Pakistan indigenous device to "sight the moon".
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Apr 16, 2020 02:21pm
@WB, Sir there are no specialists or educated competent people locally. Worsening state of education has taken its toll and is now showing its effects. So Pakistanis studied and living abroad are thought to be the solution and are imported. As it is believed that being successful abroad (which means having more income than locals) they are the most brilliant 'Pakistani' minds. When they fail, which they will, then the next step is to call in Chinese 'experts' as we have seen for the China virus also, which advised the extension of Lock Down. Of course these Chinese are working for their Government and have that as their prime interest, naturally.
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Apr 16, 2020 02:38pm
@Toni, 100%agreed.
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Apr 16, 2020 02:40pm
should watch Aitizaz Ahsan interview from 14 April on ARY Off the Record. But it is no where to be seen on the social media.
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Apr 16, 2020 02:45pm
@haris, including you, an asset in the cabinet.
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Apr 16, 2020 03:44pm
Its the strong leadership of IK that he made liaison between different functionaries of institutions.
In past such scenario had made a wall between govt and judiciary.
Well done IK and hope judiciary will also realize the Humbleness in executive jobs.
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Apr 16, 2020 06:59pm
There are 194 Countries in the world and nowhere this kind nonsense goes on.
Have the CJ of Britain and Italy and Spain and USA taken suo motu cognizance.
USA 25000 deaths and Italy and Spain over 17000 deaths and rising but I have not heard their Supreme Court calling the Executive inept and inefficient. Even British Courts have refrained from such nonsense.
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Apr 16, 2020 07:08pm
I think we should take this seriously.
The Judiciary has such a terrible legacy in Pakistan.
For some reason they mostly seem to do the wrong thing throughout our history.
Now the SCP has decided to take Suo Moto cognizance of the Corona issue.
The Attorney General of Pakistan should have asked the honorable judges why they are the only SC in the whole wide world who is making a fool of themselves.
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Apr 16, 2020 07:10pm
Please investigate first as there is lot going on in social media against Dr.Mirza. Supreme Court must have some confidential information which Government is lacking.
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Apr 16, 2020 07:35pm
@Toni If people with medical expertise free people from Taftan border to enter into cities and then blame the common people for the spread of the virus, SC has every right to take Suo Motu action because the Executive is just winging it at the moment with no clue. They are bunch of disgraceful people who are not ready to accept responsibilities of their actions and need people like you to upvote their inaction.
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Apr 16, 2020 07:56pm
This is the difference between the Sharifs/Zararis and Imran Khan. The PM has rightly said what he said. But he cannot take any action against me. I am in Canada. I still feel the CJP is unnecessarily demeaning the Federal Government. Do the judiciary not see the 12K distribution, equal distribution of kits and accessories to provinces, almost a daily update on what's going on and not to forget the IMF (rescheduling) of debt? No one needs to defend this, the judges should have the eye to see them.
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Apr 16, 2020 08:11pm
It is always someone else fault. Ask Trump.
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Apr 16, 2020 09:26pm
Why does the Special Assistant to the PM on Health need to present the case of the Government to the Supreme Court? This is not a legal matter. The Government imposes restrictions of Social Distancing and prevention to prevent the spread of COVID 19. These rules have been imposed and enforced Internationally as it is a Pandemic. The Government is only requiring implementation of International standards. If someone does not conform to these regulations, then they are violating the law and it is then a legal matter. The Supreme Court should be astute enough to understand this !
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Apr 16, 2020 10:00pm
@UIOP, 'And you have sent this guy for SAARC meeting. Good visions step.'
Saarc itself is a joke without any leadership. Only after the Chinese join to lead, will Saarc function, not otherwise.
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Apr 16, 2020 10:30pm
@N. Rahim, Canada, I agree.
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Apr 17, 2020 01:00am
@TRACTION345, and that enlightened leadership will not come from PMLN or PPP as long as they are the servants of their respective dynasty families.
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Apr 17, 2020 01:45am
The remarks of CJ should have been taken seriously.and objectively.
Dr. Zafar Mirza must not only revise and review his attitude but improve his way of working.
Instead of repeating statstics received from hospital sources he should advance concrete and viable steps to be taken by the govt in order to.curb.covid 19 pendamic from further expanssion. He must act like a Doctor not a news reader.
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Apr 17, 2020 03:33am
And now this
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