The Punjab government has alleged that the magistrate who acquitted former chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi of corruption is playing dirty.
https://twitter.com/GovtofPunjabPK/status/1664624162869063683
In a tweet, the official Twitter handle of the Punjab government said, “Judicial magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virik, who discharged Ch Pervez Elahi today in a mega corruption case, seems politically affiliated with PTI and playing dirty. He is sitting on a very sensitive post and dealing with important cases related to FIA and Anti Corruption. His tilt towards PTI is clearly reflected in his hasty verdict and his social media pages. His social media profile clearly shows his activities and inclination towards PTI.
A judge holding such an important slot should not pursue his personal political agenda from the judicial platform.”
The post also attached judicial magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk’s Facebook and social media posts. However, the government has failed to establish if they are the real account of the magistrate.
https://twitter.com/Rana_Nisar_TTS/status/1664626426014846976
The Twitter netizens reacted strongly to the post. One user wrote:
“Aamir Mir, whatever is playing on your Google TV, Anti-Tehreek-e-Insaf, anti-Imran Khan propaganda, and pro-PPP content. What do they all show? Secondly, this is not the point of view of the caretaker Punjab government. Aamir Mir should share on his Zati account or his information ministry, share whatever. In the case of Judge Ziba, Justice Amir Farooq was very angry that the respect of my lower judiciary was in question. Now Waris Mir’s post-Aamir Mir is mocking a serving judicial magistrate from the official account of the government. Where has the honor of the Supreme Court gone?”
The allegations made by the Punjab government have been met with skepticism by many. Some have pointed out that the government has a history of making such allegations against judges who rule against them. Others have said that the government is simply trying to discredit the magistrate in order to undermine the verdict.
The case is currently being appealed in the Lahore High Court. It remains to be seen whether the court will uphold the acquittal or order a retrial.
