LAHORE: Hon. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice ‘Mian Saqib Nisar’ on Friday, while hearing a petition challenging the appointment of Zulfi Bukhari as the ‘Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on overseas Pakistanis’, remarked that “matters cannot be run on the basis of friendships” and that the Prime Minister is a trustee of the nation who should not run matters as per his own will.
The Hon. Chief Justice remarked, “Appointments on key posts are an important national duty and such matters should be run as per national interest and not on the basis of friendships.”
The chief justice heard a petition in the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry challenging Bukhari’s appointment as the PM’s Special Assistant as the key issue being of Zulfi Bukhari dual national.
The court sought a detailed report of Bukhari’s appointment and his qualifications as the ‘Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis’. The hearing of the case was then adjourned till 5th December.
Zulfi Bukhari’s Attitude in the Hon. Supreme Court
As the hearing went under way, the Hon. Chief Justice expressed anger over Zulfi Bukhari’s attitude and remarked, “You should leave your anger at home and then come. You might be someone else’s friend but you are not a friend of the Supreme Court.”
Justice Nisar also asked the attorney general to apprise Zulfi Bukhari regarding his attitude.
Following this, Zulfi Bukhari’s counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan, informed the court, “The Prime Minister has the authority to appoint special assistants.”
At this, the Chief Justice remarked, “The prime minister does not have unrestrained authority and is a trustee of the nation.”
“The prime minister should not run matters as per his own will. We will decide whether the matters are being run in line with the Constitution or not,” the Chief Justice said.
Further, Justice Nisar added, “Nepotism should not be seen in appointments on higher posts.”
He then questioned, “On what basis was Zulfi Bukhari appointed and who directed that a summary regarding this appointment be prepared?”
Zulfi Bukhari’s counsel responded, “The prime minister can also seek advice from [former US president] Barack Obama and Bukhari was not given a constitutional post.”