In a strange turn of events, the Supreme Court took back its order for the removal of Murtaza Wahab from the post of Karachi administrator after he apologised following heated arguments in the courtroom during a hearing of the Gutter Baghicha case at the Karachi Registry on Monday.
During the proceedings, the court expressed displeasure over Murtaza Wahab for using harsh words.
The apex court initially ordered the removal of Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab after heated arguments during the hearing of the Gutter Baghicha case.
During the hearing, an angry Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed instructed the Sindh chief minister to appoint an "impartial and competent" person in place of Murtaza Wahab.
Murtaza Wahab is not competent enough to serve on the post of Karachi administrator, the court observed.
"Get out," the CJP told Murtaza Wahab, asking him to leave the court room. "You are doing politics here," the CJP remarked as he expressed annoyance at Murtaza Wahab.
"Should we walk out and leave the government," Wahab harshly responded during the hearing.
He said that major observations are issued against the government in open courts.
Wahab's arguments got the court's ire, as the CJP told him to be quiet. "Shut up mister! What are you talking about? Don't do politics here," the CJP reprimanded Wahab.
"Get out of here. [We] are dismissing you now," the CJP ordered, asking Wahab if he is an administrator or a political leader.
Administrators are deputed for the service of citizens. They work in an unbiased manner, the court observed, adding that the administrator's post is not to play politics.
"In general, the administrator [Murtaza Wahab] failed to fulfill his duties," the CJP said, adding that Wahab's attitude was of a politician and not a public servant.
Murtaza Wahab's apology to SC
Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab later apologised to the court for using harsh words.
"I apologize for my behavior," Wahab said.
Justice Qazi Amin remarked that they have removed him [Wahab] from office. "You are no longer an administrator. You are not part of the state but the government," he said.
Wahab, while speaking to media during a break in the hearing, said that he accepted whatever the court's decision would be.
He said that he has apologised to the court. "I was stating my opinion with great respect," said Wahab, adding that this court is his own court.
"[A person] should be heard before issuing a decision against them," Wahab said as he looked forward to the court's final decision after the break.
The court later accepted the apology of Murtaza Wahab after a short break in the proceedings and withdrew the order to remove him from office.
