LAHORE (Dunya News) – Former lawmaker Capt (r) Safdar has renewed his questions over a controversial degree dispute involving a judicial figure, calling for transparent verification and greater accountability in judicial appointments.
In an interview to Dunya News, he has also criticised constitutional amendments that he believes could weaken judges, expressed concern over the conduct of Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and outlined his views on the political and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Speaking on The Anchorman, hosted by Ali Sohail, Safdar discussed the ongoing legal dispute, the role of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, the need for judicial independence and a range of political issues, including the province’s security challenges and the management of mineral resources.
Degree dispute
Safdar said he had challenged the degree of a person identified in the interview as Amjad in 2021, insisting that his demand remained unchanged: the relevant academic credentials should be produced and transparently verified.
He said Shabnam advocate was representing the petitioners and Hafiz Naseem was among those who had filed the application. Safdar also referred to records he had examined, including land revenue documents and inscriptions on graves, saying he had not found evidence supporting the disputed claim. He maintained that his objection concerned the degree and was not intended to insult anyone.
Responding to the suggestion that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan had already accepted the degree as valid, Safdar questioned the verification process and asked which authority had authenticated the document. He said the matter remained under litigation and referred to proceedings before an constitutional court, as well as judicial observations he said had raised questions about the individual’s credentials.
Safdar added that he had submitted a three-page file to the Judicial Commission and intended to discuss the matter further with his lawyers.
He argued that the dispute should not be treated as a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) issue, describing it instead as a matter of public interest. He also called for safeguards against conflicts of interest when lawyers participate in judicial appointments or verification processes and subsequently appear before the judges concerned.
Safdar said he had raised the matter with senior lawyer Ahsan Bhoon and objected to the response he received. He maintained that the issue could have been addressed through dialogue, verification of the documents and, if necessary, reconsideration of the candidate.
He outlined three conditions: the individual should resign, Safdar and his side should be elected unopposed, and the individual should apologise publicly to the nation at Minar-e-Pakistan. He also reiterated that he would offer sweets if the degree were produced.
Constitutional concerns
Safdar questioned constitutional amendments that he believes could undermine judicial independence, arguing that proposed changes should receive proper consideration in Parliament and its committees.
He said judges should not be left powerless and stressed that judicial appointments and credentials must be examined through transparent procedures. Referring to Pakistan's judicial history, he cited the doctrine of necessity associated with former chief justice Muhammad Munir and argued that past constitutional controversies had significantly affected the country's political development.
Safdar also expressed sympathy for Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, saying the controversy had affected the stature he had built over the years. He suggested that political leaders could have handled the disagreement through discussion rather than allowing it to escalate.
KP security
Discussing the possibility of imposing governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Safdar said the Constitution provided for such a measure if circumstances made it necessary. He stressed, however, that the province's security crisis required practical action and greater political responsibility.
He urged political leaders to focus on countering terrorism, improving policing and administration, appointing capable officers and taking action against corruption. He argued that the scale of corruption and administrative shortcomings meant that an extensive clean-up could not realistically be completed within 180 days.
Safdar also criticised political violence, referring to the attack on the residence of the Lahore corps commander following the events surrounding the vote of no confidence against former prime minister Imran Khan. He called for institutional cooperation and accountability rather than relying on short-term measures.
Mineral resources
Safdar called for reforms in the management of KP's mineral resources, highlighting granite production in his NA-15 constituency. He said high-quality granite was extracted locally but transported to Karachi and Italy for cutting and processing, limiting the economic benefits available to the producing area.
He urged authorities to develop local processing industries, improve roads and make mining leases more transparent. He also called for clear limits on lease allocations to prevent individuals or companies from retaining extensive mineral extraction rights indefinitely.
Safdar said better planning could create jobs, increase provincial revenue and support local manufacturing, adding that the province had resources that could serve industries beyond mining.
Political differences
On the political legacy of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Safdar said both had initially entered politics during military-led periods but later developed distinct political identities. He praised Nawaz Sharif's opposition to political dictation and his decision to pursue Pakistan's nuclear programme despite international pressure.
He also called for greater representation for Hazara in a proposed 11-member council, arguing that the region should have a voice in decisions affecting it. On internal PML-N disagreements, Safdar said he and other party figures had sometimes taken dissenting positions but insisted they were not disloyal to the party.
Safdar further opposed replacing KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi without a clear reason and a suitable alternative, saying his experience as a former deputy speaker should be taken into account.