KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Friday reprimanded Jamaat Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, warning that he will not allow any political speech in the courtroom.
The situation occurred during hearing of the demotion implementation case of the high-rise building Nasla Tower in the Karachi Supreme Court Registry. At the outset of the hearing, the JI leader tried to speak in the courtroom at the rostrum but was not allowed.
“Who are you,” asked the CJP. “I’m JI Karachi Amir, please listen to me. I want to speak about the compensation for the victim of Nasla Tower.” Hafiz Naeem replied the top judge.
CJP Gulzar Ahmed got furious and asked the JI leader to step away from the rostrum as he will not allow any political speech in the courtroom.
The JI leader said he only wants to talk about the compensation for the Nasla Tower affectees. “Please no talk, leave the rostrum,” remarked Justice Qazi Amin. Later, the JI leader left the courtroom.
READ MORE: Authorities begin manual demolition of Nasla Tower on SC orders
Extension in demolition
A day earlier, the commissioner of Karachi has pleaded the top court to give him an extension of 50 days for the demolition of Nasla Tower and Tejori Heights.
Muhammad Iqbal Memon submitted reports on the updates on the demolition of the buildings built on encroached lands in the Supreme Court. He said that the administration has begun implementation on the orders of the chief justice.
“The demolition of Nasla Tower has already begun. But the process is complicated and we will need time for it,” the commissioner added.
Memon’s request comes a day after the Supreme Court instructed authorities to immediately demolish the building and summoned Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani for opposing the orders.
Ghani had said that he would rather resign from his post than demolish the buildings on the court’s order. He added that such rulings often lead to humanitarian crises.
On Wednesday, the chief justice expressed his annoyance t the delay in the demolition of the buildings. “Do you want to land in prison?” Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed admonished the commissioner warning that he could be held in contempt.
He ordered the commissioner to “take all the machinery of Karachi” and start demolishing the Nasla Tower. The authorities have started manual demolition of the building located on Main Shahrah-e-Faisal thoroughfare in Karachi.
