CJ’s son in the dock
STRANGE are the ways of the capital city. On Tuesday night, the country was alerted to a special hearing of the Supreme Court scheduled for Wednesday morning. The subject: the mysterious allegations that business tycoon Malik Riaz had given large sums of money and other inducements to family members of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, in particular his son Arsalan Iftikhar. The reason for the alleged favours bestowed: Malik Riaz was hoping to secure favourable judgments from the SC in cases presumably involving him and his friends’ interests. Not an iota of proof had been produced in the public arena beyond a whispering campaign loaded with conspiracies when the SC decided to intervene. For its bold step — turning the harsh light of public and judicial scrutiny on the family of the chief justice — the SC deserves undiluted praise. At a time when other institutions are seen to be doing whatever they can to avoid meaningful accountability, the SC has sent a message that it will not shy away from even the most painful of controversies.
Having said that, a legal maxim may have to be turned on its head if the Arsalan Iftikhar-Malik Riaz case is to set a positive example. Not only must justice be seen to be done, it must also be done. For many supporters of Chief Justice Chaudhry his act of hauling his own son before him and sitting in judgment over him for the alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice is an unparalleled act of courage and moral rectitude. However, for those looking to the constitution and the letter of the law for guidance, the chief justice should never have headed the bench before which Arsalan Iftikhar appeared yesterday. The conflict of interest and violation of due process are simply too obvious to ignore. If nothing else, what about the rights of Arsalan Iftikhar, who has been dragged into a controversy without any proof whatsoever and now stands before a father who may want to prove that his own credentials are beyond reproach? Let the law run its course, but without family members sitting in judgement.
Just a trap to divert the attention of people from current cases against ruling alite.
A person living with someone and that person living beyond their mean but that man did not know about all these activities which is beyond anybodies wisdom to belief this theory.
CJ has misused his position from getting admission to medical college for his son to getting him into police service. Now again a massive financial scam is unearthed, involving CJ's whole family benefiting from it. Would chief justice be able to do justice to this matter. I am not sure.
No one can touch him he is the popular CJ's son who plays to the gallery! Now wait and see how charges are accepted in courts against the land grabbing tycoon. The son's credentials need to be brought out. What was his grade in Inter Exams. If it was indeed 'C' how was he admitted into the medical college. How did he become a Govt servant and how did he get the alleged appointments and promotions, the details of his business his earnings and expenditures – all need to be investigated and answers to the questions sould be revealed to the public
MR. Hassan i think u should follow politics first .. we have all seen the attitude of PPP towards judiciary.. they can go to any extent to malign them and thats what they have done in this case too.. i am not defending anyone.. if CJ's son is gulity he sould be punished but if not then mark my words. this game will back fire on the govt in a way that thye have not even dreamed of.
It is too early to say anything the real facts will come out later. One thing is certain that in Pakistan rule of law seems to be prevailing it is a good sign.
Dr. Arsalan stated yesterday that he has a successful construction and telecom business and can afford annual trips to london on his own. Just 5 years back he was only a grade 17 officer in dept of health appointed on sifarish and later transferred to FIA on sifarish as well. To become a successful globe-trotting businessman in 4-5 years is quite an achievement… either he is a really talented entrepreneur or he used his father's name in his dealings. However even if the latter is true, it doesn't implicate CJ personally. The only question that can be put to CJ (assuming if allegations on Arsalan are true) is why he didn't notice his son's growing affluent lifestyle sooner?
If you happen to be a son of famous person and you start to build your own career, will people in the business community tell you that they are dealing with you because of your father? what can you do about it?
Come on – try to adopt of realistic approach. If Dr. Arslan is proved to be guilty then i am sure he will be punished for what he did. His father can not be held accountable for ADr. Arsalan's wrong doing. We must try differentiate between people and the case. Let us wait and see for the final judegment of the case before we start making speculations.
I don't understand why the CJ is part of the hearing committee of his son – it doesn't make sense –
He should let other people listen to his case and excuse himself as he will be biased or just to avoid simple controversy
the allegations against Mr arsalan will remain low on content and high on rhetoric to tarnish the image of cj untill concrete proofs are presented before the bench-. till now the sc deserves an undiluted praise 4 its bold action at the same time the cj shud step dowm from da bench probing into the controversial matter.
Chief Justice Sahib, you should immediately go on official-leaves until verdict on this *your son) case is not announced by the remaining judges of Supreme court of Pakistan. You should set the highest example of morality in this country – this is the time for you to make this happen.
It is important that the corrupt politicians and journalists be put on notice that the time for spurious allegations is past. Now if they make false allegations they will they will have to pay for it. To underline the gravity of the situation, the CJ is rightly investigating it ‘himself’. Obviously, if the allegations prove to be false as, I believe, they are then the SC will constitute another panel without the CJ to punish the rumour mongers.
Allah's Commandment to the prophet Moses…
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."
chief justice has become controversial ,right or wrong,not everybody has faith in him
He should RESIGHN and let the remaining judges decide
Why should he resign, allegations are not against him but his son?
So ,somebody was paying his son, without any guarantees from the son's father?
Yes Shahid sahib you are right; allegations are not against but his son. And this is also cooked up by mighty mafia who are making money at the cost of poort peoples of Pakistan. The real culprits of this conspiracy must be unveiled so that real faces behind this gory picture come before the nation and an examplary punishment should be given to them all. And if his son is invovled then he should also be punished; and CJ will do this. Once he punished his own son he will become a powerful persoanity in history; a matchless persoanlity before the eyes of the peoples. That is why the opponents are maligning him and demanding sepration from the said bench.
He should resign because the allegation is that his son took the money to influence his father. He should have kept an eye on his family like he does in the case of PPP government.
Mr. Hassan you make absurd statements. The judge can take notice only after an allegation is made or there is knowledge of corruption. Do you MIND if someone keeps an eye on this corrupt government? Are you a Pakistani first or a loyal Jalya first? God bless the Chief and his family and his son if he is innocent.
Hasan you are absolutely right. Let the law take its course. The CJ should show the grace to ask the government to relieve him of his judicial duties until the apex court decides the case pertaining to his son's alleged corruption.
Why should the CJ resign from his post. He is the only person who boldly faced the malitary dictator and is now facing the corrupt governoment. Proper investigation is to be carried out, if the CJ son is proved to be guilty he should be punished.
Is there is any example in the history of pakistan of resigning? Whether the Prim minister resigned from his post after his son going to be trialled in the case.
The CJ has parted with the Supreme Court bech, Now the two other Judges should decide about alleged corruption of Dr Arsalan.
If suppose Dr Arsalan is proved to be the wrong doer, Why his father is to be punished for it.
He should resign so that the present and past allegations can be impartially investigated. How can the other supreme court justices give decision against their boss's son. It does not happen in Pakistan. For the interest of justice the CJ must resign or else how will be as controversial as peoplle like Zardari and Nawaz Sharif
We need a new clown every day, as the show must go on uninterrupted.
BRILLIANT OBSERVATION.
Chief Justice of Pakistan has made histroy by summoning his son at the rostrum and this move has proved his unmatched integrity and honesty towards this nation and rule of law. Those who think that such nasty moves to defame the Honourable judge will succeed, infcat live in fools paradise. Our corrupt, self centred and third rate politicians do not want the country to be steered down as this will block thier lootng and plundering spree. We are hopefull and pray to Allah Almighty to save our judiciary and honourable judges from the nafariuos designs being hatched against them by different corners. The whole nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the honourable judges at the time of ordeal as they are the only ray of hope in the darkness that prevails everywhre in this country.
S.M Zaki,Quetta.
It is unfortunate of subcontinent that politicians always tarnish , malign somebody who is trying to do some good work.
It is done by corruption or character allegation , and our people just watch like" Road Tamasha" cowardly.
In india besides corruption, character , one more allegation is very common…..Anti dalit ..anti muslim…..Just blame somebody…….."It is anti dalit or anti muslim.." ….No need to do more…e.g. Anna Hazare's honest movement was diverted and diluted by naming anti muslim by congress.
May Zaki Bhai this kind of feel prevails amongst all. Inshah-Allah the day is not far when again the Hon'ble CJP will come out with clean hands.
May Allah guide us with wisdon.
Cann't quite fathom why the CJ did not recuse himself! Quite bizarre!
CJ seems to have recused himself now! My apologies!