Disqualification of Fawad: IHC grants three-week time to submit replies

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted three weeks time to both parties to submit written replies in a petition seeking disqualification of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry. Chaudhry took the stance that anchorperson Sami Ibrahim conducted programs against him, aired pictures of his wife and daughter and is still running a campaign against him on social media.

He said that he was abused during the program, adding the case should be concluded by imposing a fine on the plaintiff to put an end to the blackmailing. Sami Ibrahim maintained that Chaudhry slapped him in front of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Bashir Memon but even then an FIR is yet to be lodged against him. "Chaudhry is calling me a blackmailer whereas he himself is corrupt," Ibrahim affirmed.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that it is inappropriate to conduct such programs and directed the minister to create a forum in the Parliament to address such issues. Besides, he said that the Parliament should itself hold its accountability instead of bring the matter to courts.

The hearing was adjourned for three weeks. It is to be mentioned here that Sami Ibrahim has filed a petition seeking Fawad Chaudhry's disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) for concealing his assets.