The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Thursday submitted a report in the Supreme Court (SC) declaring Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati guilty in Islamabad Inspector General (IG) of Police transfer case.
The Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar while hearing the case pertaining to the transfer of Islamabad IGP Jan Muhammad, remarked that Federal Minister Azam Swati misused his powers and sought explanation from federal minister under article 62 (1))(f), which sets the precondition for a member of parliament to be "sadiq and ameen" (honest and righteous).
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar said that the case should be registered on the basis of this report as apology is not acceptable because poor people were tortured.
JIT report revealed that Azam Sawati has misused authority. The CJP questioned the government’s decision of keeping Azam Sawati in his position under Article 62(1)(F).
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Azam Swati’s lawyer, Ali Zafar, informed the bench that the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to probe the minister’s misconduct had submitted a sealed report before the court. “I have yet to receive a copy of the report,” Swati’s counsel said.
At this, the chief justice remarked, “Swati misused his powers and the JIT report states that the federal minister was accorded special treatment.”
The federal minister’s counsel told the bench that his client is travelling abroad as part of a delegation. Justice Nisar responded, “We do not know any minister, in front of the court everyone is equal.”
Further, Justice Nisar added, “We will also have to see how many acres of land Swati has encroached on.”
Swati’s counsel then informed the bench that the federal minister will return on December 3. “I can get a reply submitted one week after that,” the counsel said.
In response, the chief justice said, “I can get him to return to the country.”
The top judge further inquired about the whereabouts of the affected family and when they appeared before the court, Justice Nisar remarked, “We are fighting for your respect and for your daughters. How did you reach an agreement with them? We do not permit you to enter an agreement with them. Why should they be forgiven? Were your daughters not imprisoned?”
Directing the affected family to not enter an agreement with Swati’s family, the court sought a reply from Swati on JIT’s report by Tuesday. The hearing of the case was then adjourned till December 4.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of Islamabad IGP Jan Muhammad’s abrupt transfer last month. The IGP was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by the son of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, regarding a fight over purported encroachment with a family at their farmhouse.
The apex court had formed a JIT to probe allegations of misuse of authority, misconduct and encroachment against the minister.