MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sardar Faheem Akhtar Rabbani on Friday appeared before a full court bench of the AJK Supreme Court and tendered an unconditional apology for his “misconduct” with Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram.

The minister was summoned by the court to appear in person before it in Mirpur for explanation of his conduct in the wake of his phone call to the chief justice wherein he had requested the latter to convene a meeting of the secretaries (general) of all political parties on the issue of local bodies (LB) elections.

According to the court order, the phone call was made by the minister’s personal assistant who placed the chief justice on hold before putting him through to the minister.

In compliance with court notice, Mr Rabbani who was accompanied by Advocate Khawaja Maqbool War submitted a written explanation to the full court bench, wherein he blamed his personal assistant for the “misstep” who he said had been placed under suspension.

However, the court rebuked the minister over the explanation saying it “ran counter to his deeds and actions.”

“You are not conversant with the affairs of your ministry […] You seem to be under political pressure and playing into the hands of others. Why should we not send you back without a flag-bearing car,” the CJ said while addressing the minister, adding: “You should show seriousness and sobriety.”

In response to a query by Justice Raza Ali Khan, Mr Rabbani said he wanted the CJ to hold a meeting with the secretaries of political parties in connection with the local bodies’ elections. When the judge further questioned him about what the apex court had to do with the LB polls, the minister appeared to be at a loss of words.

However, the bench asked him to tender his apology in black and white within one week.

The bench also directed him to withdraw the suspension order of his personal assistant and submit the compliance in this regard in the office of the registrar.

The bench said it would take up this case at the principal seat in Muzaffarabad after the summer vacations.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022