Pakistan judge warns Sharif can go to jail

A senior judge of Pakistan’s Supreme Court warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could lose his job and go to jail if he avoids implementing the judicial orders.

Justice Azmat Saeed of the Supreme Court said if the court’s orders were not implemented, they would summon the Prime Minister and he would not go back as there was enough place in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Hearing a contempt application of a customs officer, the judge said, “In view of the matter, if they summon the Prime Minister, then he will not go back. There is enough space in Adiala Jail.”

He added the Prime Minister, if summoned, would be in trouble. The court, expressing displeasure over non-appearance of the establishment division secretary, put him on notice and ordered issuance of promotion notification of customs officer Umer Farooq within two days.

Justice Saeed, heading a two-judge bench, said they had summoned the establishment division secretary many times, but he did not turn up even to file the reply. He said no one would be allowed to defy the court orders. The judge observed the establishment division had been making fun of the apex court for the last eight months.

The apex court ordered promotion of Customs Officer Umer Farooq on April 27, 2015. Arif Chaudhry, representing the establishment division secretary, said the division had sent a summary to the Prime Minister on January 29, 2016, regarding Umar Farooq’s promotion.

Justice Saeed remarked the establishment division had been making fun of the court for the past eight months. He said the notification for the promotion of Umer Farooq was issued on January 29, 2016, adding no one was looking after the process of promotions. Umer Farooq said the Supreme Court’s order 27-04-15 had not been implemented in letter and spirit.