Islamabad, (Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2018) : The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the review petitions of former army chief General Mirza Aslam Beg and former Inter-Services Intelligence DG Lieutenant General Asad Durrani against the 2012 Asghar Khan case judgment. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar, was hearing the review petitions filed by former army chief General (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg and former Inter-Services Intelligence DG Lieutenant General (retd) Asad Durrani against the apex court's decision on the case filed by late air chief Asghar Khan.
During the hearing, the court rejected the review petitions and issued a notice to attorney general of Pakistan regarding implementation of the verdict in the case. "The attorney general should inform the court regarding steps taken by the government for the implementation of the judgment in Asghar Khan case," the three-judge bench remarked. The court also issued a notice to DG FIA. "The DG FIA should also apprise the court about steps taken for implementation of the verdict.
" Rejecting his involvement in the case, Gen (retd) Beg told the court, "I did not give any such orders during my time as army chief." "Did not take any step that went against the institution," he added. General (retd) Beg further said, "I would not have gained anything by giving such orders and did not disrespect the responsibilities of the institution." Earlier, hearing the case, Justice Nisar had questioned as to why the verdict in the case had still not been implemented.
"If the court accepts review petitions, then the verdict will stand null and void," the CJP had said. Justice Nisar further said, "The court will fix responsibility on those who do not follow the verdict." Advocate Salman Akram Raja, who was representing Asghar Khan in the case, also appeared before the bench. While referring to him, the top judge asked him to brief the bench over the case. "Court had earlier ruled that Gen (retd) Aslam Beg and Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani had violated the Constitution," Advocate Raja said.
Further, Asad Durrani's counsel Shah Khawar said, "The court had also ordered an investigation against politicians who had taken money." As the case was taken up earlier today, the chief justice ordered Gen Beg to take the stand. Addressing the former army chief, the chief justice directed him to present arguments himself if a lawyer is not representing him. Gen Beg had earlier remarked that he was informed of the hearing yesterday and was thus "unable to prepare for the case", adding that the case should thus be adjourned. However, the chief justice had observed that the matter will not be adjourned. The counsel of the former ISI chief requested the court to delay the hearing for later today after which Justice Nisar had adjourned the hearing until 2:30pm. The hearing was later adjourned till Tuesday morning.
