Summary The SC on Monday seeks government response for not issuing notification of IHC judges’ appointment.
ISLAMABAD: A four-member bench of the Supreme Court court headed by Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the proceedings of the case over the petition for contempt of court against President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Law Minister Farooq H Naek and Law Secretary Yasmin Abbasey for not issuing notifications regarding the appointment of two IHC judges in view of the SC’s December 21, 2012, order.
During the proceedings, Akram Sheikh, who is counsel for petitioner Nadim Ahmad stated that government has acted against order of the apex court by not issuing notification regarding the appointment of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as a confirmed judge and Noorul Haq Qureshi as an additional judge of the IHC for six months.
“No one could violate orders of the judges of the apex court”, he stated. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked, “Who has said that the government will not comply with SC orders”.
Akram Sheikh stated that government has not acted in compliance with the SC order and the matter is before the bench.
Attorney General Irfan Qadir told SC that the federal government has filed a review petition in this case.
Upon which, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain stated that federal government’s review petition has not come before the bench.
The Attorney General stated that the federal government also filed a petition on Saturday requested the court to suspend its December 21’s decision about issuing the notification regarding the appointment of two IHC judges until disposal of the case.
The SC ordered to club the contempt of court petition against against President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Law Minister Farooq H Naek and Law Secretary Yasmin Abbasey and the review petition filed by the federal government.
Then, the SC directed Attorney General to file government’s response for not issuing notifications regarding the appointment of two Islamabad High Court judges in view of the SC’s December 21, 2012, order.
Subsequently, the SC adjourned hearing of the case till 18th January.
On 21st December, 2012, the SC had directed the authorities concerned to issue notifications regarding appointment of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as a confirmed judge and Noorul Haq Qureshi as an additional judge of the IHC for six months.
