The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered for the immediate removal of the adviser of Railways Minister Azam Swati in the Old Railway Golf Club implementation case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The apex court showed its annoyance over the appointment of the railways minister’s adviser Shah Rukh Khan. 

Justice Ijazul Hassan said that according to media reports, the federal minister appointed for himself an adviser on Railways Golf Club. He objected to his appointment saying under which law the federal minister had appointed an adviser for himself? 

He remarked that Railways Golf Club was not the private property of anybody who could appoint any person of his choice. Such appointments could not be made in public offices. There are set rules and procedures through which appointments are made in the public offices, he added. How could you hire somebody while neglecting appointment rules and procedures, he questioned? 

Justice Hassan asked the secretary railways: “Have you not advised your minister that he cannot make such recruitment.”

The secretary replied that the federal minister appointed Shah Rukh Khan as an adviser in the best interest of the club. 

Justice Umar Atta Bundial asked why Mr Khan’s hiring was not brought into the court notice.

Justice Hassan remarked that the recruitment of Mr Khan as Golf Club adviser was a flagrant violation of the court order by the railways minister, adding that the violation was intentional.

When railways secretary told the court that the federal minister’s adviser was working without salary, Justice Bundial remarked that he did not reckon that the government was running on charity. He said that the court wanted improvement in the working of public entities and intended to entrust them in the strong hands. 

Justice Hassan asked the secretary who was running the affairs of Railway Old Golf Club. The secretary informed that the CEO was supervising the affairs of the club with the consultation of Adviser Shah Rukh Khan. 

Justice Bundial said that that the court would not approve any appointments or changes in the club’s management. He ordered the secretary to complete the audit of the club. 

The case was adjourned for an indefinite period. 

The three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Bundial heard the case.