A Rawalpindi additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) was removed from his post on Saturday, one day after he admonished the Defense Secretary, Lt. General (retired) Hamooduz Zaman for not complying with a court order regarding the military’s businesses and their beneficiaries.
The judge, ADSJ Waris Ali, had ordered the federal government to remove Defense Secretary retired Lt Gen Hamooduz Zaman after he failed to submit a report on the military’s businesses and their beneficiaries. The judge said such conduct was tantamount to “the denial of the existence of one of the pillars of the state, i.e. the judiciary” and could not be ignored.
In a written verdict, ADSJ Ali ordered the federal secretary’s removal and sought assistance from the attorney general with an observation that the case required the interpretation of the Constitution as the functions of the armed forces are regulated under Article 245 of the Constitution.
ADSJ Ali also noted that Article 245 of the Constitution outlines no role of the army other than defending the country against external aggression or threat of war or when it is called to help the civilian government.
The case has now been transferred to a new judge, as ADSJ Ali has been directed to take charge as an officer on special duty (OSD) “on or before Nov 20”.
November 18,2023
Source: Dawn and other newspapers
