By Arif Malik
LAHORE: Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar has said that he was not leading a life of anonymity like Gen. (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, rather he was enjoying a life full of social activity.
In an exclusive interview with Wenews, the former chief justice said that he has no regrets over any of his decisions as Chief Justice of Pakistan. “I will not offer any explanation pertaining to any of my judgments,” he said. He was of the view that life in obscurity is itself a negation of life. “I’m leading my life as an ordinary man. I can meet anyone and in no way lead a life in obscurity.”
Nisar seemed a bit shy from the media, supposedly due to a specific political atmosphere in the country. However, he answered the questions with sobriety and liveliness, proving he has the patience to face criticism from opponents.
Nisar furthered that his decisions speak for themselves and that he finds no reason to offer explanations in this regard. “I took suo-moto notices… People may take it as they wish but it’s a fact that I justified my role [as Chief Justice],” he added.
To a question, he clarified that he never dubbed Maryam Nawaz as rude. “Media exaggerates… Why should I call someone uncivilized? It’s up to somebody to criticize or praise me but I will say nothing in response,” he told Wenews. He was of the view that it doesn’t matter if Maryam Nawaz says something about him. He, however, took exception to the Nawaz-led party for displaying placards in the parliament and posed a question, “What objective they [PML-N] wanted to achieve through such acts”.
I’m a strong person: Saqib Nisar
The former chief justice said that he wouldn’t come out in public in his defence. “Weak personalities need such a defence… I’m a strong person. Weak personalities find justifications. I am clean and even then, if someone wants to exaggerate, he is free to do so.”
To a question, Saqib Nisar said that he has no plan to join the country’s politics. “I am spending a peaceful life… Why should I join politics?” he added. To a question, he said that he wouldn’t use social media. “I’m neither active on Twitter nor have a facebook account… I use a simple phone,” he said. He, however, told this scribe that he would extend legal expert opinions if someone approaches him for the same. “I used to read books and this is how I spend my whole day.”
To a question, Saqib Nisar said that he had no good memories as far as his interaction with journalists is concerned. “They exaggerate… I found nothing good out of these interactions as everyone interpreted my views as per his own desire.”
To a question regarding Dr. Saeed Akhtar of the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre, the former chief justice said that he would not divulge much on the subject adding it’s good if he has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
To another question, Saqib Nisar said that if got the time, he would write an autobiography, mentioning ‘my struggle’. He didn’t reply to the question about whom he used to meet these days.
