G-B court dismisses plea against ex-CM in fake degree case

GILGIT: The Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan has dismissed a petition seeking the restoration of a previously dismissed suo moto case, accusing Gilgit-Baltistan former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman of submitting a fraudulent educational credential.

Supreme Appellate Court Chief Judge Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan issued a two-page written verdict in this regard. According to the judgment, the case, initially filed in 2018, was dismissed for non-prosecution on March 16, 2019, and the recent petition for its restoration met the same fate.

The petitioner, Jamil Ahmed, had accused Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman of submitting a fake degree from Wafaq ul Madaris to qualify for a reserved technocrat seat in the 2015 general election.

The case was brought under Article 76 (Original Jurisdiction) of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018, citing violations of Section 12(2)-e and Section 99(f) of the Representation of People Act, 1976.

Despite multiple calls for appearances, there was consistent non-appearance from the petitioner’s side for hearings, including the most recent ones.

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The court noted that the absence on the part of the petitioner indicated a lack of interest in pursuing the case, leading to its dismissal.

“The court has reason to believe that nobody is interested in the prosecution of instant petition which stands dismissed on account of non-prosecution,” the judgment read.

Furthermore, the court observed that since the tenure of Hafeezur Rehman as chief minister, which spanned from 2015 to 2020, has concluded and he no longer serves as a member of the G-B Legislative Assembly, the matters raised in the petition have become moot.

“In view of the matter, instant suo moto case has also become infructuous which stands disposed of accordingly,” the judgment added.