ISLAMABAD: After missing a PAC hearing, the Supreme Court registrar given one last chance to appear for an audit of apex court expenses.
On behalf of the deputy registrar, the registrar asked to brief the committee on Saqib Nisar’s dam fund.
Thus, the committee strongly advised the registrar to present. In a forceful protest, National Assembly member and committee chairman Noor Alam Khan warned the Constitution should broken up and thrown away if the Supreme Court did not audit.
He asked if the apex court was outside Pakistan after auditing the army, atomic energy, and NAB.
“All institutions, including the Supreme Court, audited in America, China, India, and Canada,” he stated.
He questioned why the registrant missed the committee meeting. “We are not calling anyone here for humiliation,” he stated.
Mohmand Dam and Diamer-Bhasha Dam accounts
Khan stated that the Supreme Court registrar obliged to inform the committee regarding Mohmand Dam and Diamer-Bhasha Dam accounts.
“We must inquire about account opening permission. The registrar would have helped. He said, “We’re here for Constitutional supremacy, not fighting.”
The committee chairman said the apex court registrar sent two letters saying he couldn’t attend.
“The registrar should avoid such words,” MNA Sheikh Rohail Asghar said. He forgot politicians never retire.”
The deputy registrar informed the committee he would answer questions.
The PAC chairman said the chief justice requested details in the last election, and they and the ECP provided them.
We revere the Supreme Court. “I don’t know if there’s another law for you,” he said.
The deputy registrar stated the apex court did its own audit, contrary to popular belief. “There are no Supreme Court audit paras,” the deputy registrar informed the committee.
Khan sought the deputy registrar for dam fund account opening approval.
“This fund supposed to audited, but now it’s not,” he stated.
The PAC chairman asked the finance secretary if the Supreme Court had requested dam money account access. The finance secretary stated the dam money account formed in May 2018 and renamed three times.
Accountant general role
He informed the committee that the accountant general oversaw dam fund accounting, while the apex court registrar supervised. According to statute, the Supreme Court can open an account.
Khan said the deputy registrar’s presence demonstrated they recognised the committee, but the letter concerning the registrar’s absence said otherwise. The letter is arrogant. He suggested taking this letter to Parliament and following its decision.
Because of his clean record, Deputy Registrar Sher Afgan was heard. Barjees Tahir said that not discussing dam fund accounting if the registrar did not attend was insulting the committee.
Since the deputy registrar represented the apex court, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed advised against sending the letter to Parliament. “I am satisfied with the conduct of the Supreme Court and deputy registrar,” he said, adding, “We don’t need to open more fronts.”
He advised saying “good to see you” to the deputy registrar and the registrar when they arrive.
Mushahid advised against ego-driven committee appearances. He advised against conflict because the deputy registrar’s attendance shows he recognises the PAC.
Sacrifices
“We have sacrificed for the independence of the judiciary and even faced jails,” added the committee chairman.
Asghar said the committee had two sides and the Supreme Court was being lauded. Protesting, he departed the committee meeting.
The law secretary said the Supreme Court’s audit was ongoing and the auditor general’s office was investigating the objections.
The PAC chairman said the registrar should appear before the committee and allow the auditor general to audit.
“This is not our plea but according to the Constitution, I also have the authority to issue warrants for anyone,” he stated.
The law secretary told the committee that the registrar should have arrived at the meeting.
“Please convey our message to the chief justice,” the committee chairman told the deputy registrar. We legislation, the Supreme Court interprets. We desire neither favouritism nor contempt.”
Khan conducted voting and most members supported giving the registrar one last chance to appear before the committee.
The State Bank of Pakistan gave the committee Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund information. The central bank says the dam’s money has Rs17.71 billion and hasn’t been used.
