SC asks Swati to resign, forms JIT to probe conduct

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday ordered Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati to resign from his position during the hearing of a suo motu case regarding transfer of Islamabad Police IG Jan Muhammad.

The orders came as a three-judge bench resumed hearing of the case.

During the hearing, the IG excused from working and requested the court to let him implement the orders of his transfer as he won’t be able to work in such circumstances.

The CJ then said the court won’t forbid him if he is willing to implement the orders regarding his transfer.

The chief justice took exception to Azam Swati and remarked that Swati should resign from his post if regrets what he has done.

The CJ said the court would set up a Join Investigation Team (JIT) comprising IB and FIA to investigate the mater, directing the Attorney General to suggest names for the proposed JIT.

The JIT would present its report within 14 days.

The CJ also listed to the boy whose family was involved in a dispute with the minister and said it was a case of misconduct.

The JIT will include Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ahmed Rizwan, Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Mirvais Niaz and an official from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and submit its report to the court within 14 days.

Further, the bench remarked, “The JIT will investigate the cases against Swati in the US and find out whether he can travel to the country or not.”

The chief justice added, “These are decisive moments and will determine whether the rich and powerful can exploit others. If an inquiry is conducted on merit then it will strengthen people’s faith and confidence in Pakistan’s institutions. This will be a service to the country and the generations to come.”