Islamabad: Days after a federal minister was summoned and penalised by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for misusing power and interfering in official matters, another minister faced the apex court’s wrath for misbehaving with an official at the Islamabad International Airport over a flight delay.
However, he was spared after submitting a written apology and surrendering himself to the court.
Fida Hussain, Minister for Tourism of Gilgit Baltistan, had misbehaved with an airport staff over a flight delay on November 16.
The video clip — showing Hussain pushing and roughing up the official — went viral on social media.
Later, taking note of the media reports and video clip, Supreme Court Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar summoned the minister and airport official to appear before the court.
Judge’s ire
On Friday, as the hearing resumed, Justice Nisar, who was heading a three-member bench called the minister to the rostrum and asked: “Are you the minister who pushed the airport staff? Are you an educated person?”
During the hearing, a video clip of the incident was screened.
Justice Nisar then inquired:” “Were you in your senses at the time? How could you interfere in official affairs?”
The Chief Justice then remarked: “A poor man was mocked at the airport. We will call the Islamabad IGP and get a case registered against you. He then adjourned the hearing for a brief time.
The minister admitted to pushing the airport official, saying he was furious over an unforeseen delay in his flight on November 16.
This further infuriated the Chief Justice, who summoned the Inspector General of Police to register an FIR against the minister.
As the hearing resumed, the Islamabad IGP stated that the airport is not within his jurisdiction and fell under the Punjab Police.
The top judge then remarked: “Punjab police should register a case against the minister and conduct an inquiry.”
Hussain said in court: “I did not push him with ill intentions. I did push him, but there is a story behind it.” He added: “For two days, flights were not being run to Gilgit Baltistan. I apologise for my misbehaviour.”
The Chief Justice then ordered the minister to submit a written apology in court, which the latter did, but the judge then directed him to apologise to the airport official.
The tourism minister then submitted yet another apology that was accepted by the chief justice, who disposed of the case after warning the minister to be careful in future.
