Judge video case: SC issues notice to Attorney General, seeks recommendations

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a notice to the Attorney General and asked for recommendations in the judge Arshad Malik video scandal case.

The SC heard today the video scandal case of judge Arshad Malik, who was removed from post last week upon Islamabad High Court’s request.

The SC had taken up the case for hearing on July 16. The apex court’s three-member bench under Chief of Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa heard the case today.

During the hearing, the applicant’s lawyer presented his arguments, saying that the SC should take suo motto in the matter.

The court in its response stated that it will no longer be independent if it functioned upon what people suggested.

The CJP remarked that the court shouldn’t be directed on how to conduct investigation, adding that there is no doubt on extraordinary circumstances of the case.

He said that the basic issue is of trust of the nation on judiciary and if people fail to trust it then justice will be difficult to found.

The apex court remarked that the issue of judge Arshad Malik will be heard by the court, however, the dust must settle regarding the issue.

Subsequently, the SC adjourned the hearing until July 23.

In view of today’s hearing, security was beefed up around the federal capital and 1,000 police personnel deployed in the Red Zone and SC premises.

In accordance with an SC notification, the staff allowed people inside only through special passes and after snap-checking.

Those attending the hearing were not allowed to take mobile phones and cameras inside.

Earlier in an affidavit submitted to the IHC, Malik denied the contents of the video — which purportedly showed him admitting to a lack of evidence against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — and termed them edited, fabricated, and aimed to defame him.

The court had issued notices to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Raja Zafarul Haq, and others.

The Supreme Court took up the case on a petition submitted by a citizen named Ishtiaq Ahmed, who appealed to the apex court for an independent judicial inquiry of the video scandal.

On July 12, judge Arshad Malik was relieved from his duties by the federal government for his alleged involvement in the controversial video scandal.

Arshad Malik, in his letter to the IHC, alleged he was offered a bribe by Hussain Nawaz. “Nasir Janjua came to meet me and claimed that he had the cash equivalent of Rs 100 million in Euros for me immediately available out of which the Euro equivalent of Rs 20 million was laying in his car parked outside.

"I was told that Mian Sahib is willing to pay whatever I demand on acquitting him in both references. However, I declined the bribe offered to me while committing remains sticking to merits,” he said in his letter.