ISLAMABAD: The Balochistan’s legal fraternity on Tuesday requested the Supreme Court to start contempt of court proceedings against Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan over his contemptuous remarks against Quetta Inquiry Commission (QIC).
The commission was formed to probe the tragic incident at Civil Hospital Quetta that claimed 73 lives.
The Balochistan Bar Council and Balochistan High Court Bar Association submitted that they would, nevertheless, file a separate contempt application against the minister under Article 204 read with Section 3 and 4 of Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003.
Hamid Khan filed a 17-page reply to the objections raised by the Interior Ministry. The ministry had requested the court to expunge the observations against the ministry and minister.
The reply stated that the interior minister, instead of approaching the court for redressal of his grievance, opted for a press conference in which sarcastic comments and contemptuous remarks were made.
“Since such contemptuous act has been done none other than Minister of Interior himself, therefore, it is requested that he may kindly be proceeded against by this Hon’able Court to explain his position and held for contempt of court,” the reply stated, adding that nevertheless a separate contempt application under Article 204 would also be filed.
“Instead of appreciating these commendable efforts and importance of the Report, the MOI under the directions of Ch. Nisar has made the said report controversial and that too without any cogent explanation or justification,” it added.
The reply added that as the minister had tried to ridicule the commission report by holding a press conference in highly contemptuous manner so he could be held disqualified from being the member of parliament under Article 63 (1)(g) of the constitution.
“Without referring to or pointing out any document on the record, the Ministry in its objections has leveled bald allegations against the QIC,” the reply said, adding that therefore such allegations having no substance deserved to be rejected by top court.
“It appears that in order to save the minister from the consequences of his criminal negligence, MOI is fabricating stories in hindsight in the face of deteriorating law and order situation in the country particularly in Baluchistan,” it stated.
“It is notable that in the objections of MOI, a particular line has been adopted with intention to defend the Minister (Ch. Nisar) at any cost instead of admitting negligence on the part of MOI and its minister regarding failure in discharging their duties,” the reply stated.
It added that thus unnecessary and irrelevant material has been mentioned in the objections.
“Apart from the fact false explanation is being offered by the MOI to avoid criminal consequences, but for the sake of arguments of this be accepted as true, whether it would not a charge sheet against the Minister as well as Ministry for committing criminal negligence in this regard,” the reply stated.
