Umar Ata Bandial, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, apologised for his remark ‘good to see you’ about Imran Khan, which caused the Prime Minister and a great deal of political outrage.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial clarified his salutation during the hearing of a case on Tuesday as the ruling alliance questioned the impartiality of the nation’s top judge.
During today’s hearing, Justice Bandial greeted lawyer Asghar Sabzwari by saying ‘Good to see you’, the same greetings that triggered some of the politicians from the coalition government. “Good to see you. You have come to my court after a long time,” CJP said mentioned that he greet everyone with pleasantries, but added that I was the target of criticism for saying greetings.
The top jurist said high moral values and ethics are a must for everyone.
When former prime minister Imran Khan entered the Supreme Court last week to argue against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, Justice Bandial greeted him at the podium with the words “Good to see you.”
Politicians including the chief organiser of the PML-N, Maryam Nawaz, the president of the PDM, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and others criticised the chief justice of the supreme court for his comments.
Umar Ata Bandial is a Pakistani jurist who is currently serving as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan. His appointment as the new Chief Justice was approved by President Arif Alvi on 13 January 2022, after which he assumed his office on 2 February 2022.
He has been a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan since 17 June 2014.[2] Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, he served as a Justice of Lahore High Court[3] from 1 June 2012 to 16 June 2014.
Bandial will serve as the Chief Justice of Pakistan for one year, six months, and 25 days from 2 February 2022, until his retirement on 16 September 2023.
Also read: Maryam Nawaz demands Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial’s resignation
