Tag: development funds

  • Who ‘WhatsApp-ed’ Justice Qazi Faez Isa against PM Imran?

    Soon after claiming that it was the son of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leader Chaudhry Shujaat who had “WhatsApp-ed” to inform Justice Qazi Faez Isa that he received development funds from Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, journalist Gharida Farooqi has tweeted a clarification.

    As per the details, Gharida on Thursday tweeted quoting sources that it was Ch Salik who had sent Justice Isa the details and proof of the premier sending him development funds.

    “The PM [had] today submitted [his] reply to the Supreme Court (SC) that the news regarding funds was fake,” she wrote while mentioning Thursday’s hearing of the apex court case over notice of Rs500 million uplift funds in light of the forthcoming Senate polls.

    It wasn’t later that the journalist once again took to Twitter and clarified that it wasn’t Salik.

    “I got a call from Ch Salik after my [earlier] tweet. He categorically denied it and said he didn’t even know Justice Isa. Whereas, Justice Isa said so in the SC today while referring to NA 65 [constituency],” she said.

    It may be noted that Ch Salik of the PML had been elected to the National Assembly from the said constituency in a 2018 by-election.

    While Gharidah’s clarification led to a spat between her and PM Imran’s aide Dr Shahbaz Gill, who said that the SC had dismissed the case, here’s what journalist Umar Cheema had to say:

    Earlier, the Supreme Court disposed of the case, declaring PM Imran’s response satisfactory.

    During the hearing, Justice Isa had inquired if it was the premier’s job to distribute envelopes of money to members of the National Assembly.

    The judge revealed he had received documents via WhatsApp indicating that heavy funds had been provided to a lawmaker from the ruling PTI’s coalition party from the NA-65 constituency, reports said.

    “Can funds be given to certain constituencies? Is it in accordance with the law to give funds for the road,” he inquired.

    The Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan responded to the apex court judge, saying the WhatsApp documents “are your complaint and would be reviewed”.

    “I am not the complainant, I am just pointing [it] out; perhaps, you did not listen to me,” the judge replied.

    In response, the AGP said, “You have been sharing your observations for a long time. It is I who has not been heard. You received a message on your WhatsApp, so you are a complainant.”

  • Justice Isa questions PM’s stance on grant of funds to lawmakers

    Justice Isa questions PM’s stance on grant of funds to lawmakers

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa has questioned Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s stance on the grant of development funds to members of the national and provincial assemblies as the Supreme Court (SC) took up a suo motu case to determine the Constitutional status of the move.

    On Tuesday, the apex court constituted a five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed, and served notices on the prime minister’s principal secretary, Cabinet Division secretary, finance secretary, federal and provincial advocate generals, and provincial chief secretaries.

    However, Justice Isa on Wednesday noted that a letter submitted by the premier’s principal secretary to the top judicial forum “did not contain the answers to the court’s questions”.

    “The letter does not have answers to the court’s questions. It seems the prime minister has not read the court’s order properly,” the judge said.

    In January, Prime Minister Imran announced a grant of Rs500 million for each member of the national and provincial assemblies under sustainable development goals to enable them to carry out development schemes for their voters.

    However, last week, Justice Isa took notice of the development, warning of legal proceedings if the move was found to be in contravention of the Constitution.

    On the occasion, he had asked Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan to update the court on the issue based on the government’s response.

    However, Khan responded he would update the court after receiving instructions from the government and further reassured that “whatever action is taken will be in the light of the law, Constitution and legal precedent.”Article continues after this advertisement

    Subsequently, Justice Isa referred the matter to the top judge for the formation of a bench.

    On Wednesday, all provinces submitted written replies to the court except for Sindh. When asked, the Sindh government’s counsel informed the court the provincial government had not given development funds to any lawmakers.

    “Sindh government should have submitted a written answer,” CJP Gulzdar replied.

    Meanwhile, AG Khan told the court the grant of development funds was “linked to the Constitution”, adding that the prime minister knew that “government funds cannot be used wrongly”.

    “No member of the National Assembly will be given money [directly],” he added.

    According to the procedure, the funds do not get issued to the individual MP or MPA. They get assigned to a project through a robust mechanism.

    Justice Isa questioned who had drafted the reply submitted by Principal Secretary Azam Khan. To this, Khan replied that it was “a matter between the lawyer and his client”.

    “The letter does not have proper English, it does not answer the court’s questions. It seems like the prime minister has tried to keep the door open for [granting] funds,” Justice Isa said.

    He also remarked that there was a “storm of information” from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting every day.

    “Either the prime minister should remain firm on what he said or admit he had made a mistake. Why is the prime minister hiding behind his secretary? The entire media published the news and the prime minister is silent,” the judge said.

    Khan replied if the prime minister “started refuting every news himself, he would not be able to do any other work”.

    The court ordered the Sindh government to submit its reply today.

    The bench also ordered the finance secretary to submit a clear answer to the court, directing that the report should also have the premier’s signature on it.

    The case was adjourned till Thursday (today).