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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Bahria Town makes a splash with foray into media</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/987943/bahria-town-makes-a-splash-with-foray-into-media</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/987943/bahria-town-makes-a-splash-with-foray-into-media#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 15 09:16:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=987943</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Real estate company enters media industry by placing full page advertisements in newspapers]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Bahria Town has officially announced its arrival into the world of Pakistani media, inviting applicants from across the country to be a part of what appears to be a new media giant in the making.

By placing full page advertisements in newspapers on Sunday, the real estate company announced how it would be entering the media world with a network of newsgathering bureaus with offices in all major cities of Pakistan. “Bahria Town will provide comprehensive coverage of news, entertainment, sports and property from across the globe,” said the advertisement, adding that the company would recruit leading journalists, entertainers, sports personalities, and technical staff to create content for the network.

Bahria Town all set to enter media

The media channel will also broadcast in HD formats. This announcement comes at a time when the industry is still recovering from the shock implosion of Bol TV that sank without a trace after the New York Times exposed its fraudulent practices.

Chairman Bahria Town Malik Riaz is widely acclaimed as the largest and most successful property tycoon in the country. Media industry insiders say Riaz will make a huge splash with the new channel by investing heavily in technology, human resource and international best practices.



“After the Bol TV fiasco, our industry needs a boost,” said a senior TV journalist while requesting anonymity. “Bol TV hurt us badly and hundreds of us are now jobless. A new channel promising to deliver what Bol did will be a ray of hope for us,” he says.

In recent months, the broadcast industry has seen the launch of many news channels but none have managed to dent the advertising revenue of the top channels. At present, the market is dominated by four or five channels which control the lion’s share of advertising revenue.

However, with Bahria Town’s deep pockets, there is potential for a new channel to gatecrash into the elite channels’ club. With vast financial resources at its disposal, experts believe the Bahria channel could eat into the market share of the top channels and attract the best human resource, content and advertisement rupees.

“The TV industry should brace for some major realignments,” says an industry insider. “Malik Riaz is going to make an impact. He intends to be a force to reckon with in the media,” he added.]]>
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			<title>Land grabbing case: Rawalpindi accountability court acquits Malik Riaz, son</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514761/land-grabbing-case-rawalpindi-accountability-court-acquits-malik-riaz-son</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514761/land-grabbing-case-rawalpindi-accountability-court-acquits-malik-riaz-son#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 13 10:32:37 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[National Accountability Bureau had filed an application calling for Malik Riaz's acquittal.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Rawalpindi Accountability Court acquitted business tycoon Malik Riaz and his son Ali Riaz in a land grabbing case on Saturday, Express News reported.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed an application in the accountability court calling for Riaz and his son to be acquitted in a fraud case regarding 1,401 kanals of land.

Accepting NAB’s application, the accountability court wrapped up the case and acquitted the two accused.

Riaz, speaking to the media outside the court, said that he has forgiven everyone involved in the case.

Earlier, Riaz and his accomplices were booked by the Anti-Corruption Establishment in two FIRs on the charge of acquiring 1,401 kanals of land near Rawat on fake and forged documents in 2009.]]>
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			<title>Malik Riaz is a great philanthropist, says Shujaat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511803/malik-riaz-is-a-great-philanthropist-says-shujaat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511803/malik-riaz-is-a-great-philanthropist-says-shujaat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 13 04:51:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=511803</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shujaat says Punjab government is spending Rs30m daily on advertisements for character assassination of Malik Riaz.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The president of the Pakistan Muslim League –Q Senator Chaudhri Shujaat Hussain has said that the Punjab government is spending Rs30 million daily on advertisements for the character assassination of Malik Riaz Hussain who is a great philanthropist.


He said that this money should be spent on welfare of the people but it is being wasted to malign Bahria Town. He said that hospitals of Bahria Town in Lahore Rawalpindi and Islamabad are providing free medical care including free dialysis, kidney transplant and hepatitis B. He said that Bahria Town serves free meals to millions of people.

While there were richer people in Pakistan none of them bothered to spend money to get the Pakistani brothers from the captivity of Somali pirates. Malik Riaz paid Rs130m to get them free. His services for the victims of floods and earthquake are well known. Bahria Town is the only neighbourhood where there are no power outages and it does not need to employ the security persons, the PML-Q leader said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2013.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/511803-shujaathussainonline-1361681390/511803-shujaathussainonline-1361681390.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			<title>Stopping the march: Malik Riaz reappears during talks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/493298/stopping-the-march-malik-riaz-reappears-during-talks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/493298/stopping-the-march-malik-riaz-reappears-during-talks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Jan 13 05:03:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=493298</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz maintains he came on behalf of Pakistani people to prevent loss of life if Qadri pressed ahead with his march.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A surprise appearance by real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in Saturday’s talks between the government and Minhajul-Quran chief Tahirul Qadri threatened to derail the negotiation efforts.


Following his appearance, Qadri refused to even sit down with the Chaudhrys and alleged that the government intended to use Riaz to suggest that he had been bought.

The Chaudhrys rushed to defend Riaz, saying the businessman played a crucial role in building consensus among coalition parties regarding Qadri’s demands.

Riaz himself maintained that he came on behalf of the Pakistani people to prevent loss of life if Qadri pressed ahead with his march.

He agreed to leave the premises if his presence was objectionable, and promptly did following a brief talk with the media.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Arsalan Iftikhar case: Supreme Court orders disbanding of Suddle Comission</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/476485/arsalan-iftikhar-case-supreme-court-orders-disbanding-of-suddle-comission</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/476485/arsalan-iftikhar-case-supreme-court-orders-disbanding-of-suddle-comission#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 12 07:40:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The court also issued directives to make the third report public.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Friday ruled the disbanding of a one-man commission headed by former police official Dr Shoaib Suddle, Express News reported Friday. The commission had been  constituted to probe graft allegations against the son of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The court also issued directives to make the third report public.

Former chairman of Bahria Town, Malik Riaz, had strongly criticised the one-man inquiry commission constituted to probe graft allegations against the son of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Riaz said that he had submitted receipts of Arsalan Iftikhar’s expenses in the Supreme Court on June 6, 2012. But the Supreme Court did not conduct any investigation then.

The business tycoon had alleged that Arsalan lived in a Portman Square penthouse which costs Rs7 million a month in addition to enjoying services of the best hotels in London. Riaz said that receipts and proofs of these expenses have been submitted to the Supreme Court, but no action was taken on them either.]]>
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			<title>Inquiry commission: Malik Riaz terms Suddle report baseless</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/476221/inquiry-commission-malik-riaz-terms-suddle-report-baseless</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/476221/inquiry-commission-malik-riaz-terms-suddle-report-baseless#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 12 05:20:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=476221</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Expresses distrust in one-man commission, says he will approach court in London.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former chairman of Bahria Town Malik Riaz has strongly criticised the one-man inquiry commission constituted to probe graft allegations against the son of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.


According to a press release issued on Thursday, Malik said that the Suddle commission declared that Arsalan Iftikhar spent Rs4.5 million on a vacation but failed to mention where the money came from.

“Why are his other tours, which cost millions of rupees, not mentioned?” Malik asked, adding that the commission was covering Arsalan’s “black money”.

He added that the report presented by the commission to the Supreme Court was baseless, adding that the chief justice’s son had spent much more than just Rs4.5 million.



The property tycoon added that he had submitted evidence of Arsalan’s extravagant trips to the Supreme Court but the investigation was assigned deliberately to Shoaib Suddle who, he claimed, had close family ties with Arsalan.

Therefore, he added, they have decided to file a case in a court in London.

Malik further accused Arsalan of blackmailing and extorting money from him and his son-in-law.

He further claimed that the commission had acted like a “police station” when he appeared before it. He termed the commission a “one-sided show”.

Malik said he would not bow to any pressure and would try to continue all the welfare projects, which the commission had criticised.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Malik Riaz's lawyer terms Suddle commission 'illegal'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/476134/malik-riazs-lawyer-terms-suddle-commission-illegal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/476134/malik-riazs-lawyer-terms-suddle-commission-illegal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 12 16:37:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=476134</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Advocate says the commission has no authority to seek or examine tax details of his client, or register a case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The counsel for property developer Malik Riaz Advocate Zahid Bokhari on Thursday expressed complete distrust over the one-man inquiry commission headed by Shoaib Suddle, probing Arsalan Iftikhar case.

Talking to media outside the Supreme Court on Thursday, Bokhari claimed that the Suddle Commission had no constitutional mandate to probe the matter. He said that the Federal Tax Ombudsman Shoaib Suddle had family relations with the chief justice of Pakistan, thus the findings of the commission could not be impartial.

To a query, he said "we will not appear before the commission till a decision on a review petition pending before the Supreme Court against its [commission] formation. He said the commission had been informed in writing about his stance.

On reports that the commission had sent its' findings to the Supreme Court, Bokhari claimed that the proceedings conducted by the commission from October 6 to November 6 were illegal. He said the commission had no legal authority to order registration of a case against his client.

Besides, he said the commission also had no authority to seek or examine the tax details of his client.

The Supreme Court had formed a one-man commission headed by Shoaib Suddle to probe into the allegations Malik Riaz had leveled against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.]]>
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			<title>Suddle commission: Malik Riaz provided no proof to back allegations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/475597/suddle-commission-malik-riaz-provided-no-proof-to-back-allegations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/475597/suddle-commission-malik-riaz-provided-no-proof-to-back-allegations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 12 16:42:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=475597</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Commission wants SC to make it binding on Malik Riaz to appear before it.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Shoaib Suddle commission formed by the Supreme Court to probe the Arsalan Iftikhar case has filed its provisional report in which it found no proof to back the allegations against Arsalan Iftikhar, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Sources with knowledge of the report told Express News that a 30 page document has been dispatched to the Supreme Court detailing the progress of the commission so far.

Per the report, business tycoon Malik Riaz had alleged that Arsalan had usurped Rs340 million, but provided no proof to back up this claim.

The commission added that despite issuing five notices to the business tycoon, he had failed to make an appearance.

It urged to Supreme Court to make it binding for Riaz to appear before the commission.

Malik Riaz scoffs at 'Arsalan commission'

Reacting to the report, Malik Riaz said that he already had doubts that this was not the Shoaib Suddle Commission, rather the "Arsalan Iftikhar Commission", and he did not accept the one-man body. Hence, he never appeared before it.

Riaz said that he had submitted receipts of Arsalan Iftikhar's expenses in the Supreme Court on June 6, 2012. But the Supreme Court did not conduct any investigation then.

The business tycoon further alleged that Arsalan lived in a Portman Square penthouse which costs Rs7 million a month in addition to enjoying services of the best hotels in London. Riaz said that receipts and proofs of these expenses have been submitted to the Supreme Court, but no action was taken on them either.

He added that his lawyer is preparing further evidence against Arsalan.]]>
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			<title>Dr Arsalan Iftikhar case: Riaz promises more evidence against CJ’s son</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/466633/dr-arsalan-iftikhar-case-riaz-promises-more-evidence-against-cj%e2%80%99s-son</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/466633/dr-arsalan-iftikhar-case-riaz-promises-more-evidence-against-cj%e2%80%99s-son#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 12 05:24:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=466633</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Insists he is not against the SC but against elements extorting bribes from businessmen.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz announced he will reveal more evidence against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar in the coming days.


Talking to Express News anchor Javed Chaudhry in his programme Kal Tak, Riaz maintained that he was not against the Supreme Court or any institution, but was fighting certain elements that are forcing the country’s business community to pay hefty bribes to ensure their businesses continue to function.

He maintained that while bribery existed everywhere in the world, in Pakistan it blocked every businessman’s way, adding that their projects were stalled by stay orders until they gave in to every official’s request.

Riaz claimed he has been tortured by the courts since 1996 which have propped up more than a hundred cases against him, his son and organisation. He added these included ‘baseless’ murder cases as well. When asked why he was being targeted, the businessman maintained he did not know.

Talking about Dr Arsalan, Riaz said Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry’s son had been provided the ‘five-star’ Suddle Commission, adding that this was absolutely unacceptable for him. He demanded investigation agencies probe Arsalan’s own assets ‘worth billions’. Riaz also demanded that the security protocol provided to CJ Chaudhry’s son be immediately withdrawn.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Why FIA, NAB for generals, but one-man commissions for Arsalan: Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/466627/why-fia-nab-for-generals-but-one-man-commissions-for-arsalan-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/466627/why-fia-nab-for-generals-but-one-man-commissions-for-arsalan-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 12 21:19:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sumaira.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=466627</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz alleges that Arsalan wants to see Bahria Town projects rolled back, and see the business tycoon put behind bars.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Business tycoon Malik Riaz once again pitted himself in the eye of the storm on Thursday as he questioned why the Supreme Court had ordered Arsalan Iftikhar to be investigated by a one-man commission when the same court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe former army chiefs and ISI chiefs, on Express News show ‘Kal Tak’ with Javed Chaudhry.

Elaborating over the case in which he has been embroiled with Arsalan Iftikhar, the son of the chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chudhry, Riaz said he I did not know that videos were being made of Arsalan‘s paid visits. But, he claimed that ‘someone’ had given him the material and that it will be presented after sometime.

“I am about to reveal some astonishing evidences in the coming days that will shake the foundations of my opponents like 8.1 magnitude earthquake shook the high rises in Japan.”

The Bahria Town chairman though insisted that his case was not against the Supreme Court and that he had no intention to fight against any institution, but that he was compelled to do so.

Riaz said that he is against the “dons” that are compelling the business community in Pakistan to bribe them for the smooth functioning of businesses.

“Neither am I against the Supreme Court nor do I have power to do so, but I am fighting against these ‘dons’ for 20 years and want to expose them to the nation since we, the businessmen, are sick of them,” an angry Riaz said.

Riaz demanded that investigative agencies probe Arsalan’s assets which are worth billions of rupees and his employer status.

He also demanded that Protocols given to the chief justice’s son should be immediately withdrawn.

In contrast, Riaz said that he has his own private security guards and bears their cost. He added that he had offered to pay back the government when interior minister Rehman Malik deployed Rangers for his security after a firing incident on him in near Islamabad courts.

Trumped up charges

Riaz claimed that neither he nor his son had ever harmed a sparrow, but they have cases with murder charges registered against him.

He complained that their projects have been stalled through stay orders and that they are compelled to request each and every official to let their projects continue.

Riaz said he had started from zero and had built himself to the status he enjoys today because of his hard work.

However, since 1996, he has been tortured by courts through a myriad of ways from involving his son, his organisation and lastly against him personally with his name appearing in as many as 128 cases.

To a question Riaz said that he did not know why he is being targeted especially when he is not a tax evader or a black money supplier, unlike people in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Riaz alleged that what Arsalan wanted most was to see the Bahria Town projects rolled back, and see the business tycoon put behind bars.

“King maker”?

To a question on his moniker “King Maker,” Riaz denied any role in making governments and said that he never played such role and that despite having opportunities, never accepted offers to come into power.

The Bahria Town chief said that bribery is everywhere in the world but in Pakistan it is blocking the way of every businessman, he said adding,

Standing with the military

The Bahria Town chief who made a fortune doing business with the military, declared that he would always like to stand with the establishment and the military.

Riaz though claimed that Instead of taking care of the military, it was being insulted.

Riaz hinted that due to the non-availability of a system neither the army nor politicians could run the country but Asif Ali Zardari and Shahbaz Sharif could save Pakistan within two years, if only they joined forces.]]>
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			<title>Suddle Commission: SC reserves judgment over Malik Riaz’s objections</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461952/suddle-commission-sc-reserves-judgment-over-malik-riaz%e2%80%99s-objections</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461952/suddle-commission-sc-reserves-judgment-over-malik-riaz%e2%80%99s-objections#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 12 06:01:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=461952</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Supreme Court hears the review petition on Suddle Commission.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment over Malik Riaz’s objections to appear before the commission headed by Shoaib Suddle as directed by the court on August 30.


The commission is to probe allegations against the real estate magnate and the chief justice’s son Arsalan Iftikhar of cutting illegitimate real estate deals in exchange for kickbacks.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja heard the petition filed by Riaz’s counsel Zahid Bukhari, who raised objections over the constitution of the bench. Bukhari maintained that the same bench which had passed the August 30 judgment should have heard this petition.

Earlier, Riaz demanded an independent commission, saying Suddle had personal ties with the chief justice and thus, shouldn’t be allowed to investigate the case.

Arsalan Iftikhar’s counsel Sardar Ishaq, however, accused Riaz of using delaying tactics for not appearing before the Shoaib Suddle commission. The court has decided to reveal its judgment later.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>SC appoints prosecutor in contempt case against Malik Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/449066/sc-appoints-prosecutor-in-contempt-case-against-malik-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/449066/sc-appoints-prosecutor-in-contempt-case-against-malik-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 12 07:25:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=449066</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC appoints former AG Qazi Muhammad Jameel as prosecutor.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday appointed senior lawyer and former attorney general Qazi Muhammad Jameel as prosecutor in the contempt case against business tycoon Malik Riaz, Express News reported.

The hearing was headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Ejaz Chaudhry.

The registrar on the Supreme Court’s directives presented a list of senior lawyers today.

The judicial bench turned down the request of putting Riaz’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

When Riaz’s counsel, Dr Basit requested the court to grant immunity from court hearings to his client, Justice Afzal said that the court will only take a decision in this regard after hearing the statements from all respondents.

The court adjourned the case for an indefinite period of time.]]>
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			<title>SC admits Riaz's review plea against formation of Suddle commission</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/441644/sc-admits-riazs-review-plea-against-formation-of-suddle-commission</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/441644/sc-admits-riazs-review-plea-against-formation-of-suddle-commission#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 12 11:23:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=441644</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz’s plea was earlier returned by the Supreme Court’s Registrar Office with objections.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan has admitted business tycoon Malik Riaz’s review petition against the formation of the Suddle commission in the alleged financial impropriety between Arsalan Iftikhar and Riaz and his son-in-law Salman Ahmed, for regular hearing, Express News reported Monday.

The Supreme Court had taken a decision of appointing federal tax ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle as a one-man inquiry commission.

Riaz’s review petition, filed through his counsel Zahid Bukhari, was earlier returned by the Supreme Court’s Registrar Office with objections.

Today, Justice Jawad S Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain admitted the plea despite the objections raised.

A judicial bench of the Supreme Court will hear the petition.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Malik Riaz contempt case: SC bars Irfan Qadir from prosecutor’s job</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/440168/malik-riaz-contempt-case-sc-bars-irfan-qadir-from-prosecutor%e2%80%99s-job-page-9</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/440168/malik-riaz-contempt-case-sc-bars-irfan-qadir-from-prosecutor%e2%80%99s-job-page-9#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 12 04:56:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=440168</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Apex court summons senior lawyers for fresh appointment of a prosecutor.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The longstanding debate over Attorney General Irfan Qadir’s suitability as prosecutor in the Malik Riaz contempt of court case reached finality on Thursday when an apex court bench removed him as prosecutor in the case.

A two-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who has been hearing the case against Riaz on charges of levelling harsh allegations against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry at a press conference, ruled that the attorney general can no longer act as prosecutor.

The bench also summoned a list of senior lawyers from Supreme Court Registrar Faqir Hussain for the fresh appointment of a prosecutor before adjourning the hearing till October 9.

Speaking to the media after the proceedings, Riaz’s counsel Dr Abdul Basit expressed his reservations over the court’s move.

Earlier on Monday, the bench had reserved its ruling on Qadir’s eligibility to prosecute Riaz on contempt charges. The question over the attorney general’s role was raised because he had represented the property tycoon in the past.

On Monday, Qadir contended that the judges had also appeared in the past but was told by the court that he was not supposed to defend the accused being a prosecutor in the case.

In an observation during Monday’s hearing, Justice Ejaz Afzal had observed that evidences submitted by the attorney general in the case appeared to be defending the accused.

Qadir’s reply was that the judges had also appeared in the past but was told by the court that he was not supposed to defend the accused, but was to prosecute it fairly.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Riaz’s bail in real estate case not extended</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/440170/riaz%e2%80%99s-bail-in-real-estate-case-not-extended</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/440170/riaz%e2%80%99s-bail-in-real-estate-case-not-extended#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 12 04:54:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.farooq]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=440170</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[After filing of petition, Riaz did not speak to media at PHC premises.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Malik Riaz, the controversial billionaire, failed to get approval for the extension of his transitory bail in a corruption case involving fraudulent purchase of 1,400 kanal for Bahria Town, here on Thursday.

Riaz, who reached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) amid fanfare in a convoy of eight cars, had to resort to filing another application for hearing the case after PHC Judge Mazhar Alam left the bench before counsel for the defendant could request extension in transitory bail.

Riaz had been granted bail against an FIR registered by the Anti Corruption Establishment, Rawalpindi on November 4, 2011. According to the contents of the FIR available with The Express Tribune, the real estate magnate has been charged under sections 5, 2 and 47 of The Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) and sections 471, 420 and 468 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for fraudulently purchasing 1,401 kanal of land in Malik Pur Azizaal area of Tehsil Rawalpindi.

However the petition available with The Express Tribune and filed by Riaz’s counsel PHC Bar Association president Abdul Latif Afridi, states that the petitioner was nominated in the FIR after two years of its registration due to mala fide intent.

After filing of the petition, Riaz did not speak to the media at the PHC premises saying that “in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, I am not supposed to speak to the media.”

However, counsel for the petitioner revealed that they had waited for the judge and as a result of his absence the extension in bail could not be approved.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>SC reserves verdict on whether AG can prosecute Malik Riaz contempt case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/437927/sc-reserves-verdict-on-whether-ag-can-prosecute-malik-riaz-contempt-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/437927/sc-reserves-verdict-on-whether-ag-can-prosecute-malik-riaz-contempt-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 12 06:24:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=437927</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC decided to reserve verdict after seeing the list of witnesses provided by Malik Riaz.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court, adjourning the Malik Riaz contempt case till September 20, reserved its verdict on whether the attorney general can prosecute the case or not, reported Express News on Monday.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Riaz’s lawyer Dr Abdul Basit said that according to the law, no private person other than the attorney general can prosecute the case, but after looking at the list of witnesses provided by his client, the Supreme Court decided to reserve a verdict.

On Saturday, the prosecution of Riaz had submitted a list of witnesses which included names of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, his son Arsalan Iftikhar and SC Registrar Faqeer Hussain.

Basit told the media that during the hearing, the court asked the attorney general if he had represented Riaz earlier in any case to which the attorney general replied in affirmative. The court then asked him if he could prosecute this case fairly, to which the attorney general said that it was his right to do so.]]>
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			<title>CJP, son, former PM named as witnesses in Malik Riaz contempt case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/437313/cjp-son-former-pm-named-as-witnesses-in-malik-riaz-contempt-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/437313/cjp-son-former-pm-named-as-witnesses-in-malik-riaz-contempt-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Sep 12 18:43:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=437313</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The attorney general has also submitted evidence besides the list of witnesses in the case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The prosecution in the Malik Riaz contempt of court case has submitted a list of witnesses naming Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chuadhry and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Express News reported on Saturday.

The list of witnesses carries the names of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry, his son Arsalan Iftikhar, Registrar Faqeer Hussain, Suleman Ahmed, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani and Ahmed Khalil.

The evidence comprises of transcript and a compact disk containing a recording of Malik Riaz's press conference.

Talking to Express News, Riaz's lawyer Dr Abdul Basit said that if the name of chief justice and his son is not present in the list of witnesses, he would request that they are called as witnesses in court.

According to sources, the attorney general has also submitted evidence besides the list of witnesses in the case.]]>
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			<title>Land grabbing case: Court reserves verdict on who will investigate the case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/436583/land-grabbing-case-court-reserves-verdict-on-who-will-investigate-the-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/436583/land-grabbing-case-court-reserves-verdict-on-who-will-investigate-the-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 12 11:20:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sidrah.moiz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=436583</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The judgement reserved by a division bench of IHC to be announced in the coming week.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A division bench of the Islamabad High Court on Friday reserved its judgement as to who will conduct the investigation in the case against real estate tycoon Malik Riaz pertaining to acquiring 1,401 kanals of land near Rawat on fake and forged documents in 2009. The verdict will be announced in the coming week.

Speaking on the premises of the court after the hearing, Riaz’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan said that the fraud was done by the property dealers and his client was implicated, as a result of which Bahria Town’s property was seized by the Anti-Corruption Establishment.

Ahsan said that eight months after the fraud was done, a case against Bahria Town was registered.

He said that there was no plaintiff and no prosecution in the case. “The Anti-Corruption Establishment accuses someone and then finds them not guilty; then again it accuses the same person. Their findings keep changing.”

Riaz’s counsel said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should investigate the case.]]>
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			<title>Land grabbing case: SC orders for postponing Riaz's arrest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/436004/land-grabbing-case-sc-orders-for-postponing-riazs-arrest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/436004/land-grabbing-case-sc-orders-for-postponing-riazs-arrest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 12 06:50:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=436004</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz's counsel Aitzaz Ahsan argues that IHC hearing the case has not reserved judgement yet.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that the arrest of business tycoon Malik Riaz against a warrant issued by an anti-corruption court be postponed till September 20, Express News reported.

Riaz and his accomplices were booked by the Anti-Corruption Establishment in two FIRs on the charge of acquiring 1,401 kanals of land near Rawat on fake and forged documents in 2009. Riaz was ordered to be arrested by September 15.

Today, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan appeared before a two-member bench headed by Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan on behalf of Riaz and argued that the hearing of the case was underway at the Islamabad High Court, which hasn’t reserved its judgement as yet.

Ahsan informed the court that only the prosecutor general had completed his arguments in the case.

Talking to the media later during the day, Ahsan said, “Bahria Towm itself had registered a FIR of fraud. A fraud of worth Rs80-85 million was done with Bahria Town. My client had registered an FIR in February.”

He added that not a single inch of land was taken from Kalat after the fraud was unearthed.]]>
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			<title>'Formation of Suddle commission equivalent to distorting judicial history'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/434816/formation-of-suddle-commission-equivalent-to-distorting-judicial-history</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/434816/formation-of-suddle-commission-equivalent-to-distorting-judicial-history#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 12 07:55:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sidrah.moiz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=434816</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Malik Riaz's counsel says might be difficult for Suddle to investigate due to his ties with CJ's family.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With a review petition filed against the formation of an investigation commission headed by former police official Dr Shoaib Suddle, business tycoon Malik Riaz appeared at the Supreme Court along with his counsel Zahid Bukhari on Tuesday and asserted that constuting the commission was equivalent to distorting the history of the judiciary.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Bukhari said that the plea has been filed on the basis of “apprehensions” and that his counsel had reservations with Dr Suddle heading the one-man commission because of the “social and family relations Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the police official enjoy.”

He said, “The chief justice was invited to Suddle’s son’s valima ceremony, while Dr Suddle was a ‘special guest’ at Dr Arsalan Iftikhar’s wedding. This goes to show the ties between both the families.”

“What else do you call family relations?” questioned Bukhari, while further saying that Riaz was invited by neither Suddle nor Justice Chaudhry.

He posited that it might be a “tough job” for Suddle to carry out investigations.

Riaz’s counsel, while stating that the commission was constituted when the case was in its final stages, said that Riaz’s family was being drawn in without any reason. “Arrest warrant was issued for Ali Ahmed Riaz, while the property seized was that of Bahria Town – is this how justice is done?”

“You cannot leave someone remedy-less, where should Malik Riaz go for justice?”

Bukhari said that the formation of the commission was illegal and that it will give other’s a chance to quote this case when “they are not satisfied with a certain individual or organisation investigating their case.”]]>
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			<title>Malik Riaz refuses to appear before Suddle commission</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/434244/malik-riaz-to-file-review-petition-against-constitution-of-suddle-commission</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/434244/malik-riaz-to-file-review-petition-against-constitution-of-suddle-commission#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 12 07:24:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=434244</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Zahid Bukhari says his client, Malik Riaz, will not be appearing before the commission for its hearings.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz has refused to appear before the  inquiry commission in the Arsalan Iftikhar case, headed by former police official Dr Shoaib Suddle, his lawyer Zahid Bukhari said Monday.

Express News reported that Riaz will file a review petition in the Supreme Court on the constitution of the commission.

According to his counsel, Zahid Bukhari, Riaz will not be appearing before the commission for its hearings.

The commission, constituted on the Supreme Court’s orders, has obtained the complete record of the case from the court and the National Accountability Bureau.

Evidence will be collected from those are party in the case.

The media will be allowed to monitor the commission’s proceedings.

Once the court releases its directives, Dr Suddle will have to complete his investigation within 30 days. He will be granted the powers of a magistrate and will be able to call assistance from lawyers and deploy state machinery as needed.

The commission will launch an inquiry against Riaz, Dr Arsalan and Riaz’s son-in-law Salman Ahmed.

The commission will also probe SP Faisal Bashir and his subordinate officer’s link with Riaz along with their professional misconduct.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Conflict of interest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/428502/conflict-of-interest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/428502/conflict-of-interest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 12 16:55:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=428502</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It is hoped that no preferential treatment will be given to Dr Arsalan because of who he may be related to.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As a result of its verdict in the Arsalan Iftikhar-Malik Riaz case, on the directives of the Supreme Court, a one-man commission has been formed to probe the corruption allegations levelled against Dr Arsalan, after taking away the case in question from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The Court ruled that it was not satisfied with NAB’s inquiry into the matter. After allegations were levelled against the chief justice’s son by business tycoon Malik Riaz, the chief justice had stepped down from the bench hearing the suo-motu notice over Dr Arsalan’s alleged corruption, so as to avoid a possible situation of conflict of interest. There are implications of the Court’s setting up of a commission to investigate the allegations against Arsalan Iftikhar by Malik Riaz. With due respect, the first is that the perception, even if that is not in fact the case, being given is that the son of the chief justice is being afforded special treatment. How many other litigants are treated in this manner and wouldn’t this particular case give rise to a situation where those involved in other but similar cases could expect such a concession? Furthermore, the fact that the bench expressed disapproval of NAB’s investigations and directed that a commission be set up, indicates quite clearly that it is dictating the investigation of the allegations, despite there being a clear conflict of interest, since the main accused happens to be the chief justice’s son.

If the Court was not satisfied with NAB’s investigation in Dr Arsalan’s case, it could have asked it to work more diligently instead of taking the case away from it altogether, or it could have asked the government to hand it to another investigating body. The argument here could also be that what of those others whose cases pertaining to allegations of corruption or impropriety are pending before a superior court. Can they also expect to be afforded such treatment? The judiciary’s task is not to investigate cases itself, unless in the most pressing of circumstances where the public interest is served and when no situation pertaining to a conflict of interest exists. All institutions have to perform their duties within their requisite mandate. It is hoped that justice will be served in Dr Arsalan’s case and no preferential treatment will be given to him because of who he may be related to.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2012.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/428502-MalikRiazHuss_1735799875/428502-MalikRiazHuss_1735799875.JPG" class="featured_image"/>
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			<title>Contempt of court: SC summons Malik Riaz on September 17</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/427800/contempt-of-court-sc-summons-malik-riaz-on-september-17</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/427800/contempt-of-court-sc-summons-malik-riaz-on-september-17#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 12 06:58:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=427800</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz did not appear during today's hearing, SC grants him a day's immunity.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While granting a day’s immunity to real estate magnate Malik Riaz in the contempt case against him, the Supreme Court denied giving him further immunity and directed him to appear in the court on September 17, Express News reported Wednesday.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Ijaz chaudhry began hearing the case in which Riaz remained absent. Riaz’s counsel Dr Basit told the court that his client had filed an application seeking time to go abroad for medical treatment.

However, a petitioner named Ashraf Gujjar said that the treatment could be done in Pakistan, as well.

Justice Khan in his remarks said that it was an individual’s constitutional right to get the treatment of his choice.

The Supreme Court directed Attorney General Irfan Qadir and the petitioners to gather evidence and present witnesses.

Riaz had tendered an unconditional apology for his press conference in which, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand he had hurled serious, but contradictory charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, on an issue that is sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media.]]>
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			<title>SC reserves judgement in Arsalan Iftikhar case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/427287/sc-reserves-judgement-in-arsalan-iftikhar-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/427287/sc-reserves-judgement-in-arsalan-iftikhar-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 12 09:45:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sidrah.moiz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=427287</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dr Iftikhar says he wants a transparent investigation which is “as clear as glass”.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan reserved judgement in the financial impropriety case against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar on Tuesday and stated that a verdict will be announced in a day or two, Express News reported.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Jawad S Khwaja heard the case today.

Following media reports that Dr Iftikhar had received between Rs300 and Rs400 million from Riaz to influence judicial proceedings, the chief justice had taken suo motu notice and had summoned him and Bahria Town’s chief.

Dr Iftikhar’s counsel, Sardar Ishaq, while presenting his arguments before the court said that business tycoon Malik Riaz is an influential person in Islamabad.

Ishaq requested the court that a judge should be tasked to inquire about the allegations levelled against his client. Taking a jibe at Ishaq’s statement, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that if Ishaq did not trust anyone, should the court then call someone from abroad.

Responding to Justice Hussain’s remark, Ishaq said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is an objective organization, but the chairman of NAB cannot carry an impartial investigation.

I want transparent investigation: Dr Iftikhar

Speaking to the media on the premises of the Supreme Court, Dr Iftikhar said he wanted a transparent investigation which is “as clear as glass”.

Complaining about the joint investigating team in the case, Dr Iftikhar said that he had concerns regarding how the team was constituted and how the members were selected.

Dr Iftikhar said that the way Riaz’s son-in-law, Salman Ahmed, had sent out a text message claiming that he was facing security threats in Pakistan was incorrect and that he did not “even recognise Ahmed by face.”

‘Only NAB can hear the case’

Riaz’s counsel Zahid Bukhari said that lawfully, only NAB can hear the case, as all the financial impropriety cases are investigated by the bureau.]]>
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			<title>Ridiculing the court: Malik Riaz indicted in contempt case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/420071/ridiculing-the-court-malik-riaz-indicted-in-contempt-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/420071/ridiculing-the-court-malik-riaz-indicted-in-contempt-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 12 23:09:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=420071</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Tycoon’s counsel rejects ‘ambiguous’ charge; hearing adjourned till Aug 29.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Despite eventually tendering an unconditional apology, influential real-estate magnate Malik Riaz will be tried for his infamous open tirade against the higher judiciary some two months ago.


The former chairman of Bahria Town was indicted in a contempt of court case on Thursday by a three-judge bench, comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Amir Hani Muslim – despite plenty of reservations by Riaz’s counsel and the attorney-general.

The bench, in its order, noted that, prima facie, after going through the contents of Riaz’s press conference on June 12, he attempted to ridicule the court and its judges. It added that Riaz disrespected the judiciary and caused obstruction to the administration of justice.

Rejecting the court’s decision, Riaz’s counsel, Dr Basit, presented a signed statement to the bench, stating that the charge against his client was “ambiguous” and he did not understand the indictment.

Basit maintained that the text of the charge did not contain the exact contemptuous words that Riaz had used against the judiciary.

Attorney General Irfan Qadir also concurred with Basit.

Riaz’s counsel further said the court should include the contemptuous words in the text so as to explain the charge against his client.

The bench, however, observed that the Supreme Court has all the relevant records that explain Riaz’s contemptuous actions.

The court also dismissed Basit’s request to adjourn the hearing till a decision on the new contempt law was taken. Dr Basit said that his client had already moved an intra court appeal under the annulled Contempt of Court Act 2012. Justice Afzal Khan, however, told him that the act was struck down and the current proceedings were being conducted under the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003.

He told him to regard the annulled act as nonexistent.

The hearing has been adjourned till August 29.

Earlier, the three-judge bench had issued a notice to Riaz on a note put forward by the Registrar of the Supreme Court under Article 204 of the Constitution, read with Section 3 of Contempt of Court Act 2003 and the Supreme Court Rules.

Riaz had tendered an unconditional apology before the bench and also moved an intra-court appeal under the annulled Contempt Act.

During his press conference, while holding a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand, he had hurled serious charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar on an issue that was sub judice, and in brazen defiance of an apex court order that very day against speaking to the media on the matter.


Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Contempt of court: SC indicts Malik Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/419675/contempt-of-court-sc-indicts-malik-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/419675/contempt-of-court-sc-indicts-malik-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 12 06:01:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=419675</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC dismisses Riaz's counsel's appeal to adjourn the hearing till a decision on contempt law is taken.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan indicted real estate magnate Malik Riaz on Thursday with contempt charges, Express News reported.

Denying court’s decision, Riaz’s counsel Dr Basit presented a signed statement to the judicial bench hearing the case which stated that the charge against his client was “ambiguous” and that he did not understand the indictment.

Dr Basit maintained that the text of the charge did not contain the words explaining that Riaz had spoken any contemptuous words against the judiciary.

Attorney General Irfan Qadir also concurred with Dr Basit.

Riaz’s counsel further said that the court should include the contemptuous words in the text so as to explain charge against his client, because he would have to clear his stance.

The judicial bench observed that the Supreme Court has all the relevant record that explains the contempt done by Riaz.

Petitioners Ashraf Gujjar and Liaquat Qureshi maintained that the recording of Riaz’s contemptuous press conference could also be merged with the text so that the charge becomes clear to Dr Basit.

The hearing was adjourned till August 29.

The court also dismissed the request of Riaz’s counsel, Dr Abdul Basit, to adjourn the hearing till any decision on the contempt law is taken. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the whole world knows about the importance of the case and that a timely decision was needed.

Riaz had tendered an unconditional apology for his press conference in which, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand he had hurled serious, but contradictory charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, on an issue that is sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media.]]>
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			<title>Graft investigation: I am not going to run away, says Malik Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/414990/graft-investigation-i-am-not-going-to-run-away-says-malik-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/414990/graft-investigation-i-am-not-going-to-run-away-says-malik-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 12 16:02:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=414990</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Malik Riaz appears before NAB JIT, gives some answers asks time to get more evidence. Notices for Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz, who appeared before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Modnay, hit out at being declared a proclaimed offender by a Rawalpindi court. 

An Anti-Corruption court initiated a process whereby Riaz would be termed a proclaimed offender in a case involving his son and seven others, accused of purchasing land through alleged forged documents and fake identities.

Express News reported that Riaz had lashed out saying that if he is to be declared a ‘proclaimed offender’, then he best be arrested, but the move, he warned, would not deter him and attempts to force him to ‘run’ will not work.

"The supreme court should hear the case in which have been declared a proclaimed offender and see for them selves whether there is any truth in it, or just another false case," Riaz urged before telling media persons that he already has bail in the case for which proclaimed offender proceedings were being initiated against him.

The tycoon of Bahria Town fame also reached out to the Supreme Court, asking the apex body to provide his son-in-law protection whereby he too could come and present his testimony in the Dr Arsalan Iftikhar case.

NAB JIT

Business magnet Malik Riaz appeared before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of NAB today and answered questions about the details given by him, in response to JIT’s questionnaire served on him during his last appearance, a release said.

Malik Riaz elaborated and explained some commercial transactions involving large amounts through which allegedly Dr Arslan Iftikhar Chaudhry obtained undue financial benefits from Malik Riaz and Bahria Town.

NAB said it will deeply examine the transactions brought on record. The material and information received from various banks and financial institutions is also being evaluated by financial experts and reports on various financial trails are being compiled.

Meanwhile, Malik Riaz  sought a further weeks time for submitting additional documentary evidence to substantiate his contentions.

The release said that the JIT has initiated an exercise to look into money laundering aspects associated with the case.

NAB also issued notices to Dr Arslan Iftikhar Chaudhry to appear in person later this week. Dr Faqir Hussain has also been summoned in his private capacity.

Becoming a proclaimed offender

Earlier on Monday, a special judge of the Anti-Corruption Court initiated the process of proclamation for Malik Riaz, his son and seven other accused in a case of purchasing land through alleged forged documents and fake identities.

The trial Judge Chaudhry Amir Muhammad Khan issued posters showing the owner of Bharia Town Malik Riaz, his son Ahmed Ali Riaz and others after they did not appear before the court despite repeated warrants for arrest were issued after summons and adjourned the hearing till September 3, 2012.

The court further directed the district coordination officer DCO Rawalpindi to collect the information about the movable and immovable properties of Riaz in Rawalpindi and submit a report to the court on next date of hearing.

The proclamation process started after the property tycoon failed to get favourable decision from the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, against the arrest warrants issued by the trial court.

Malik Riaz, his employees and some revenue officials were being tried for transferring 1401 kanal land in the names of the property tycoon at Malikpur Azizal in the area of Rawat and his son allegedly using forged mutations, transfer letters and fake identities.

Riaz has denied allegations of fraud and says he was looted by the revenue officials and some middle men as he paid Rs85 million for purchase of the land in 2009.]]>
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			<title>NAB again issues notices to Malik Riaz for further evidence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/414267/nab-again-issues-notices-to-malik-riaz-for-further-evidence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/414267/nab-again-issues-notices-to-malik-riaz-for-further-evidence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jul 12 15:46:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=414267</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Nab tells Malik Riaz to submit further documentary evidence that he promised earlier.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[National Accountability Bureau led joint investigation team has asked real estate businessman Mailk Riaz to furnish additional documents to substantiate his claims against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.

The five member joint investigation team, which is probing the alleged underhand financial deals between Mailk Raiz and the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s son has asked Riaz to appear in person on July 30 with all the additional documents which he had promised to submit.

“Since Malik Riaz Hussain in his first personal appearance had requested for further time to file additional documents and information, he is also being re-summoned for the said purpose and questioning. Notice for Monday July 30, 2012, has been issued” media office of NAB said on Saturday.

After the attorney general requested NAB to investigate the case, its chief had constituted a five-member team comprising three NAB officials and one official each from police and FIA to probe the matter.

The case involves alleged financial dealings between Dr Arsalan, the eldest son of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and real estate businessman Malik Riaz.

Malik Riaz alleged that Dr Arsalan had received monetary and other benefits worth millions of rupees to settle pending cases in courts against Bahria town using his relation and influence on the CJP.

Dr Arsalan, who has challenged the JIT's jurisdiction, his counsel maintained that they would be presenting their final arguments before the division bench on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. The bench is hearing the petition of Dr Arsalan who has challenged the composition of JIT claiming that most of the members chosen by the NAB chief were affectees of decisions given by his father in different cases hence their bias cannot be ruled out.

According to NAB media office, the JIT has decided to record the statement of Salman Ahmed, son in law of Malik Riaz Hussain in the near future. Ahmed is one of the relevant persons who is privy to or acquainted with the facts and transactions related to this case. His role in the case will be examined from all aspects.

After recording statements of all persons connected with the case and verification of certain records the inquiry team will determine its next course of action. Evidence and reports from overseas authorities have already been sought it added. The JIT is also due to visit London and the UAE to pursue investigations.

However, their trips have been brought into question by Dr Arsalan’s lawyers.]]>
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			<title>Malik Riaz records statement before NAB</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/410942/malik-riaz-records-statement-before-nab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/410942/malik-riaz-records-statement-before-nab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 12 15:40:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=410942</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz says he will provide more evidences to the investigative committee. Arsalan Iftikhar summoned for July 30.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Business tycoon Malik Riaz recorded his statement before the investigative committee of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday in the Arsalan Iftikhar case, reported Express News.

Presenting his written statement, Riaz sought some time from the committee to provide further evidence in the case. NAB also handed him a written questionnaire which he has to reply to by July 24.

Speaking to the media after the proceedings, Riaz said that vengeful acts against him should be stopped and if anyone has reservations on the investigation committee, then they should get it changed.

Riaz had earlier requested the NAB to grant him time till Monday, because of his appearance in the Sindh High Court. However, in a statement issued on Friday, NAB stated that this request has been declined and that Riaz will have to appear before NAB.

NAB had stated that if Riaz fails to appear, unilateral proceedings could be be carried out against him.

Earlier, the attorney general had written a letter to the NAB chairman asking him to conduct an investigation into the Arsalan Iftikhar case after the court had ordered him to take action in accordance with the law.

Arsalan, son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and a key respondent in the case, had opposed the attorney general's decision and said that he did not have any right to forward the case.

NAB has summoned Arsalan Iftikhar, Salman Ahmed and Ahmed Khalil to appear before it on July 30.

The accountability institution hoped that the joint investigation team would soon return from Britain, and visit the UAE.

Correction: The name 'Khalil' was earlier misspelled as 'Jalil' in the story. The correction has been made.]]>
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			<title>SHC grants monthlong protective bail to Malik Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/410471/shc-grants-monthlong-protective-bail-to-malik-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/410471/shc-grants-monthlong-protective-bail-to-malik-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 12 09:32:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=410471</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Anti-Corruption court had issued arrest warrants for Riaz and his son Ali Riaz in a land corruption case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court on Thursday granted a month's protective bail to business magnate Malik Riaz in a 1,400 kanal land corruption case against him, Express News reported.

Earlier, an Anti-Corruption court had issued arrest warrants for Riaz and his son Ali Riaz in the case.

A special anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi had released warrants for the arrest of former Bahria Town owner on June 21 after his alleged involvement in the purchase of 1,401 kanal of land in Rawat using fake identities and forged documents.]]>
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			<title>Malik Riaz, AG to appear before court on July 24</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409814/malik-riaz-ag-to-appear-before-court-on-july-24</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409814/malik-riaz-ag-to-appear-before-court-on-july-24#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 12 04:21:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409814</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Chief justice’s son objects to NAB probe.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While hearing a review petition filed by the chief justice’s son Arsalan Iftikhar, the Supreme Court issued notices to real estate tycoon Malik Riaz and Attorney General Irfan Qadir to appear before the court on July 24.


The petition was filed against a two-member special bench’s June 14 order to refer the case, on an alleged business deal between Riaz and Arsalan in an attempt to influence the judiciary, to the attorney general for investigation.

On June 14, the bench disposed of a suo motu regarding the allegations and had expected that the attorney general would set state machinery into motion so that all those accused including Malik Riaz, his son-in-law and Arsalan were investigated and brought to book if found guilty.

Appearing before Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Riaz’s counsel Zahid Hussain Bukhari raised an objection, saying that the hearing date for Arsalan’s petition was fixed in haste. He added that he did not receive any notice in the case. Bukhari further stated that the orders of the court in the case had already been implemented so the review petition had no grounds.

Riaz’s lawyer managed to irk the bench, however, when he questioned why this particular petition had been taken up when several others were pending before the court. Justice Khawaja said, “It is for the court to decide about the listing of cases and the attorneys do not have any role in this regard.”

Meanwhile, Arsalan’s counsel Sardar Ishaq alleged that the attorney general had misinterpreted the court order when he referred the case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) although the court had asked him to send the matter to the relevant government institution.

He pointed out to the bench that he had brought this issue to the notice of Attorney General Qadir as well as NAB via a letter but nobody responded.

While the bench didn’t give a clear response, Justice Khawaja observed that NAB was not part of ‘government machinery’ but was rather an independent institution which was meant to keep an eye on government officials.

Meanwhile, an anti-corruption court Special Judge Chaudhry Ameer Hussain directed Islamabad SSP Malik Yousaf to appear in the court on July 23 and explain why officials of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and Rawalpindi police were stopped from arresting Riaz. Earlier, arrest warrants had been issued for the land magnate and his son on the orders of the trial court.

Fresh arrest warrants were then issued for them and other accused in a case of the transfer of over 175 acres of land in their names using forged documents and fake identities.

(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MUDASSIR RAJA IN RAWALPINDI)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Anti-Corruption Court issues arrest warrants for Malik Riaz, son</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409455/anti-corruption-court-issues-arrest-warrants-to-malik-riaz-son</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409455/anti-corruption-court-issues-arrest-warrants-to-malik-riaz-son#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 12 11:05:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409455</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court hearing a 1,400 kanal land scam orders anti-corruption department to arrest and produce them on July 23.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[An Anti-Corruption court has issued arrest warrants for business tycoon Malik Riaz and his son Ali Riaz in a 1,400 kanal land scam, Express News reported on Tuesday.

Special Judge Chaudhry Zafar Iqbal ordered the anti-corruption department to arrest the two respondents and present them before the court on July 23.

Other respondents in the case also appeared before the anti-corruption court.

Last month, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had taken a suo motu notice against chief justice's son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and Riaz, following media reports that Iftikhar had received between Rs300 and Rs400 million from the businessman to influence judicial proceedings.

Riaz had later held a press conference holding a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran, unleashing allegations against the chief justice. The court had sent him a contempt of court notice over the press conference. But, the contempt of court law was amended a few days before the Supreme Court had decided to indict Riaz, forcing the apex court to adjourn the indictment hearing.

On Monday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had also issued fresh notices to Riaz to appear before investigators probing the Arsalan-Riaz case.

Correction: Due to an editing error, the word "kanal" was earlier misspelled as "Canal". The error is regretted.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/409455-Malikriazphotoreuters-1342522294/409455-Malikriazphotoreuters-1342522294.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Supreme Court adjourns decision to indict Malik Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409253/supreme-court-adjourns-decision-to-indict-malik-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409253/supreme-court-adjourns-decision-to-indict-malik-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 12 04:23:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409253</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Decision taken in light of the new contempt of court law.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The new contempt of court law has barred the country’s top court from proceeding in a contempt case and the Supreme Court on Monday adjourned its decision to indict real estate tycoon Malik Riaz after his intra-court appeal.

According to the Section 12 (3) of the new contempt act, after the filing of an appeal against a decision the proceedings shall be suspended against the accused. However, the apex court’s three-judge bench directed the attorneys for Riaz and petitioners to present legal opinions till July 31 that under what laws these charges be framed against the businessman.

The apex court will also separately take up petitions challenging the new Contempt of Court Act 2012 on July 23 of this month.

The bench comprising Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and Justice Athar Saeed heard the contempt of court case against Riaz for addressing a press conference at a local hotel in Islamabad on June 16 where he allegedly ridiculed the judiciary, particularly Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

During the proceedings, Riaz’s counsel Dr Abdul Basit sarcastically remarked that it was his desire that charges be framed against Riaz, but the new law has created “hurdles”. Although the court adjourned the contempt proceedings due to the contentious new law, it, however, directed Riaz’s and petitioners attorneys to bring forward alternative legal opinions as to how to proceed further.

Meanwhile, Justice Shakirullah Jan said that the bench had studied the new contempt law and for conducting proceedings the new law would be applicable; however, the sentence would be awarded under the old law.

Attorney General (AG) Irfan Qadir stated that after the filing of an intra-court appeal further proceedings of the case could not continue. He insisted that the issue of under what law the hearing of the appeal would be conducted needed to be discussed. The AG said if the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 was applied on the proceedings then it would create constitutional and legal complications. He added that the new law stated that all the old contempt laws have been abolished with the enactment of this new contempt law.

In order to discuss this further, the court adjourned the hearing till July 31, 2012.

JIT issues fresh notices to Riaz

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued fresh notices to Riaz to appear before investigators probing the Dr Arsalan fiasco, according to an official statement.

The businessman requested NAB’s Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for a fresh date of appearance, sometime next week.

Hence, NAB issued a new summon for his appearance on July 19 (Thursday), added the statement.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Contempt of court: SC rejects Malik Riaz’s immunity request</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409018/contempt-of-court-sc-rejects-malik-riaz%e2%80%99s-immunity-request</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409018/contempt-of-court-sc-rejects-malik-riaz%e2%80%99s-immunity-request#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 12 11:19:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409018</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz's counsel says court cannot indict him according to the new contempt of court law.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the immunity request of business tycoon Malik Riaz while hearing a contempt of court case against him, reported Express News.

Justice Shakirullah Jan, hearing the case, said that the court has not taken a final decision on whether it will follow the new contempt law or the previous one. Riaz’s counsel Doctor Basit argued that the new law bars the court from indicting his client.

The apex court had earlier announced that it would indict Riaz today (Monday).

Riaz also filed an appeal against the show-cause notice and charges against him during the hearing.

Attorney General Irfan Qadir maintained that the court’s hearing gets suspended when an appeal is filed.

The hearing has been adjourned till July 31.]]>
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			<title>Contempt of court: SC to indict Malik Riaz on July 16</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407782/contempt-of-court-sc-to-indict-malik-riaz-on-july-16</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407782/contempt-of-court-sc-to-indict-malik-riaz-on-july-16#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 12 05:12:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=407782</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC ruled that Riaz is bound to appear in the hearings until the court directs him not to.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While hearing the contempt of court against business tycoon Malik Riaz on Friday, the Supreme Court announced that he will be indicted on July 16, 2012, Express News reported.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, rejected Riaz’s plea seeking immunity for his non-appearance in the court and ruled that he is bound to appear in the hearings until the court directs him not to.

Justice Jan directed Riaz’s counsel, Dr Abdul Basit, to submit an application to the court, explaining what kind of exemption his client seeks in the case.

Dr Basit informed the court that his client had come to Pakistan for the last hearing while his medical treatment was underway. He further said that Riaz’s ailment is such that it “could not be revealed in the court.”

The court further said that it will continue hearing the case and issued notice to Attorney General Irfan Qadir.

The attorney general has been assigned as a prosecutor in the case.

Riaz had tendered an unconditional apology for his press conference in which, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand he had hurled serious, but contradictory charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, on an issue that is sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media.

In his apology, he had said that his presser had given the court an impression that he was targeting Chief Chaudhry and his family.

He had claimed that in some of the meetings he had with the chief justice, the incumbent registrar of the Supreme Court and Dr Iftikhar, the chief justice’s son, were also present.]]>
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			<title>Contempt case: Malik Riaz tenders apology to SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403841/contempt-case-malik-riaz-tenders-apology-to-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403841/contempt-case-malik-riaz-tenders-apology-to-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 12 05:32:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403841</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz prayed to the court to summon Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, the chief justice’s son, and registrar of the Supreme Court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Property developer Malik Riaz tendered an unconditional apology during contempt of court case proceedings against him in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.


Riaz apologised to the court for his press conference, saying that it had given a wrong impression that he was trying to target Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his family. He also prayed to the court to summon Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, the chief justice’s son, and registrar of the Supreme Court.

Earlier, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand, Malik Riaz had hurled serious charges against Justice Chaudhry and his son on an issue that is sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media.

He had claimed that in some of the meetings he had with the chief justice, the incumbent registrar of the Supreme Court and Dr Iftikhar were also present.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Riaz’s counsel Dr Abdul Basit pleaded to the court to withdraw a show-cause notice against Riaz and provide him with an opportunity to give a preliminary explanation as per rules and set procedures. Meanwhile, Justice Jan told Dr Basit to behave like a lawyer of the Supreme Court. Basit assured the court that he would try to argue his case without any aggression.

The three-judge bench was headed by Supreme Court Justice Shakirullah Jan. The composition of the bench was changed for Wednesday’s hearing. Justice Tariq Parvez was replaced by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, while Justice Gulzar Ahmad was replaced by Justice Athar Saeed. The hearing was adjourned until Thursday (today)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Arsalan-Riaz case: NAB constitutes JIT to probe graft charges</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403240/arsalan-riaz-case-nab-constitutes-jit-to-probe-graft-charges</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403240/arsalan-riaz-case-nab-constitutes-jit-to-probe-graft-charges#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 12 05:23:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403240</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The committee noted that it will be in a better position to proceed further after it has analysed the material.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) chief has constituted a joint-investigation team (JIT) to probe the graft case involving chief justice’s son Arsalan Iftikhar and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz.


The five-member team formed by NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari will be headed by the bureau’s director general (financial crimes) and includes a member each from the police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and three members from NAB itself, said an official statement issued on Tuesday.

In its first meeting held at the NAB headquarters on Tuesday, the team decided to procure all relevant material from quarters concerned within a week. The committee noted that it will be in a better position to proceed further after it has analysed the material.

NAB had received a letter from the Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir last week asking the apex corruption watchdog to form a JIT and initiate investigations into the graft case of over Rs300 million. Meanwhile, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood of the Lahore High Court declined to hear a writ petition seeking directions to restrain NAB from probing the case citing personal reasons.

As a division bench started its proceedings, senior judge Justice Masood pointed out that since Arsalan Chaudhry’s counsel Sardar Muhammad Ishaq is his brother, it would not be appropriate for him to sit on the bench and hear the case. Following Justice Masood’s recuse, the bench asked the chief justice to formulate another bench. The other judge serving on this bench is Justice Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah.

Resident of Sialkot, Amanullah Bhatti maintained through his counsel that since the matter concerns two individuals and has not caused any loss to the national exchequer, it does not fall under the purview of NAB.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Contempt of court: Malik Riaz tenders unconditional apology to SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403411/contempt-of-court-malik-riaz-tenders-unconditional-apology-to-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403411/contempt-of-court-malik-riaz-tenders-unconditional-apology-to-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 12 04:55:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403411</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He also submitted a plea in the court seeking that Dr Arsalan Iftikhar be summoned to the court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Business tycoon Malik Riaz tendered an unconditional apology during a contempt of court case hearing against him in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, reported Express News.

Riaz said that he apologises if his press conference had given the court an impression that he was targeting Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his family.

He also submitted a plea in the court seeking that Dr Arsalan Iftikhar be summoned to the court.

Earlier, with a pocket-sized copy of the Holy Quran in his hand, an emotionally-charged Riaz had hurled serious, but contradictory charges against Justice Chaudhry and his son on an issue that is sub judice, and in defiance of an apex court order to speak to the media.

He had claimed that in some of the meetings he had with the chief justice, the incumbent registrar of the Supreme Court and Dr Iftikhar, the chief justice’s son, were also present.]]>
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			<title>Bahria Town brings out Dr Arsalan judgment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/402781/bahria-town-brings-out-dr-arsalan-judgment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/402781/bahria-town-brings-out-dr-arsalan-judgment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 12 04:20:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=402781</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Real estate company says SC ruled that such cases be referred to a trial court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[An embattled Bahria Town administration came out with some new ammunition on Monday, pleading that the Supreme Court should not be hearing cases against it – ironically basing its new prayer on a recent judgment given by the apex court itself in the controversial Dr Arsalan Iftikhar case. 


In a reply submitted to the court in the case pertaining to the murder of a security guard in relation to an alleged land-grabbing case, Bahria Town’s administration pointed out that in the Dr Arsalan case, which dealt with alleged bribes taken by the chief justice’s son from the family of real estate tycoon, the court had stated that matters of such nature should be taken up by a “competent trial court”.

Bahria Town pleaded that “the Honourable Supreme Court is not a trial court, which can decide the civil disputes between private parties” and also pointed out that the real estate company has already submitted that all claims against it are actually “civil disputes” and should hence be decided by a “civil court.” Taking its argument a step further, it was also argued that if Bahria Town property disputes are to be taken up by the apex court, then all such disputes should be dropped from civil courts and taken up by the Supreme Court.

The real estate company further prayed that it had not been given a “proper trial” – which, it was argued, could only take place in a civil court “after the recording of evidence and a decision taken on merits.” The right to such a trial, contended Bahria Town, has been enshrined in the Constitution under Article 10-A – which was also stated by the Supreme Court in its “landmark” judgment in the Dr Arsalan case.

Bahria Town, the largest land development company in the country, and its former chairman Malik Riaz have a number of cases being heard against them in the Supreme Court for over three years now. It was pointed out that the Dr Arsalan case had been referred to the competent authority “within 4 days” – and Bahria Town has prayed to get similar treatment from the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Contempt of court: SC turns down Riaz’s plea for exemption</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400872/contempt-of-court-sc-turns-down-riaz%e2%80%99s-plea-for-exemption</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400872/contempt-of-court-sc-turns-down-riaz%e2%80%99s-plea-for-exemption#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 12 04:17:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=400872</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riaz’s counsel claims his client cannot attend hearings due to health issues.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday turned down real-estate tycoon Malik Riaz’s request that he be exempted from attending the hearings of a contempt case against him.


Riaz’s counsel Dr Abdul Basit maintained that his client could not appear in court hearings due to persisting health conditions and requested that the bench, headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, allow him to leave the country for treatment.

Basit added that Riaz’s treatment had been interrupted when he had to rush back to Pakistan after the court summoned him.

The petitioner, Arshad Gujjar, who had filed an application to place Riaz on the Exit Control List (ECL), argued that allowing the real-estate tycoon to leave the country will increase chances of him not returning to Pakistan.

Countering Gujjar’s assertions, Basit told the court his client had attended court proceedings regularly out of respect for the judiciary.

The bench observed that Riaz’s name had not been placed on the ECL in light of his conduct but declined Basit’s request, directing the former to appear before the court in all hearings of the case.

The court also took notice of the June 12 news conference during which Riaz hurled serious allegations against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son Arsalan Iftikhar. Basit claimed he had no transcript of the press conference and could not prepare for the case as such.

The bench replied that an Urdu transcript of the press conference had been read in the court before the contempt process was initiated.

As Basit sought more time to prepare the case, the petitioner objected saying Riaz’s counsel was resorting to delaying tactics instead of answering questions about the conference.

Observing that sufficient time had already been provided to the accused, the bench adjourned proceedings till July 4.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Video leak: SC issues notices to Riaz, chief executive Dunya News</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400619/video-leak-sc-issues-notices-to-riaz-chief-executive-dunya-news</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400619/video-leak-sc-issues-notices-to-riaz-chief-executive-dunya-news#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 12 15:17:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=400619</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petition urges court to prosecute five respondents under Contempt of Court law. Lucman, Bokhari also issued notices.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court issued notices on Thursday to five people, including business tycoon Malik Riaz and Chief Executive Dunya News Mian Aamir, over leaked off-air footages of a “planted show” aired on Dunya News on June 13.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Muhammad Athar Saeed, was hearing a petition filed by Lawyers Writers Forum President Liaqat Ali Qureshi. The petition held Riaz, Chairman PEMRA, Dunya News through its Chief Executive Mian Aamir and anchors Mubashir Lucman and Meher Bokhari as respondents.

The petitioner urged the court to prosecute all the five respondents under the Contempt of Court Law with a plea to take appropriate action against them in the interest of justice.

Earlier, in a full court meeting, the apex court had formed a two-judge committee to probe the issue. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain are the members of the committee.]]>
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			<title>Contempt of court: SC directs Riaz to stay in Pakistan, appear for hearings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400508/contempt-of-court-sc-directs-riaz-to-stay-in-pakistan-appear-for-hearings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400508/contempt-of-court-sc-directs-riaz-to-stay-in-pakistan-appear-for-hearings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 12 07:44:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=400508</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC declines Riaz's counsel's request to allow him to go outside Pakistan for medical treatment.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, along with his lawyer senior advocate Dr Abdul Basit, appeared before the Supreme Court on Thursday for the hearing of a contempt case against him, Express News reported.

The court took notice of the June 12 news conference during which Riaz hurled serious allegations against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son Arsalan Iftikhar.

Dr Basit prayed before the three-member bench, headed by Jusice Shakirullah Jan, that Riaz, due to his health conditions, could not appear in the court for the hearing and that he should be allowed to go out of the country for medical treatment.

The petitioner, Arshad Gujjar, who had filed an application in the court to place Riaz on Exit Control List (ECL), argued that if he is allowed to move out of the country, chances are that he would not come back.

The judicial bench declined Dr Basit’s request and directed Riaz to appear before the court for the hearing of his case.

Dr Basit was told that if he wanted, he could also present evidence related to the Arsalan Iftikhar case.

A suo motu notice was taken against Dr Iftikhar and Riaz, following media reports that Iftikhar had received between Rs300 and Rs400 million from Riaz to influence judicial proceedings.

The hearing was adjourned till July 4, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Stabilising the state</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399428/stabilising-the-state</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/399428/stabilising-the-state#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 12 18:44:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[talat.masood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=399428</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Perhaps, the best course to stabilise the situation would be for government to announce a date for early elections.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Recent events in Pakistan are likely to have a profound impact on its future. The case of Arsalan Chaudhry has brought to fore that nothing remains hidden for long under the broad and sharp gaze of the media.

As institutional and individual skeletons are being dragged out of the closet, the few idols and iconic structures that we still had faith in are crumbling one by one. The chief justice, who remains the last bastion of justice, is facing embarrassment due to his son’s misdeeds. The DHA–Bahria contract has turned out to be a scam of mammoth proportions. And erstwhile prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, after remaining in the eye of the storm, was disqualified on the Supreme Court’s orders, which indeed was an earth-shaking event. These are not isolated cases but part of a broader, deeper malaise that afflicts the nation.

As our crisis worsens, no institution can pretend to be sacrosanct and above board unless it really is. And no individual or institution — the judiciary, military, politicians, business tycoons or the media — can claim immunity against accountability anymore. The forces released by the information technology revolution and a highly interconnected world have broken the barriers that once ensured some degree of impunity. Moreover, the concept that some institutions are more equal than others, or more worthy of respect, is also progressively being demolished.

These are not ordinary changes in the Pakistani environment, where too many still take it for granted that anyone can be bought out with money or power. Moreover, these developments are good for Pakistan in the long-term because our greatest weakness has been the duplicity in our behaviour — not applying the same standards to oneself that we demand from others. Just as market forces bring about corrections to economies in distress, so our institutions and society as a whole are finding self-correcting mechanisms to check failing institutions and individuals. We are now witnessing institutions — autonomously or in concert — apply checks and balances on one another: the moment one institution becomes too powerful it is likely to be checkmated. In the process, these institutions and their leaders, too, often play politics and advance their own narrow interests.

The challenge we face as a country is clear: how do we keep Pakistan in a fairly stable condition as old power structures collapse and institutions falter? It seems only too likely that the current turbulence could lead to widespread anarchy. Why? Two reasons stand out: our societal transformation is taking place in a leadership vacuum (and those who oppose change have a high stake in maintaining the status quo). Second, no institution has sufficient credibility and moral authority to guide us and show the way forward.

If Pakistan has to break from its past, then it should work for the victory of those forces that truly want to uphold the rule of law and create a society based on merit. The growing pressure for the accountability of institutions from the media — and from every walk of life in this country — should lead to collective introspection and compel the nation to redefine itself. Although rebuilding and redefining institutions is not easy, it is urgently needed. The clock is ticking louder than ever: our economy faces a meltdown, our current political leadership is incapable of taking hard decisions and a failure to act is simply not an option for a nuclear power.

How do we sanitise and transform the state when there is no leadership on the horizon of anything like the stature of a Nelson Mandela? Our dilemma is made worse when the present leadership’s only interest is personal profit that has given rise to a serious crisis of legitimacy. In the past, we took the simplistic approach of inviting the army in when events got out of control. But people are not prepared to accept a replay of that role anymore. Experience has shown that involvement of the military creates more problems than it solves in the long-term. The overreaching role of the judiciary is equally resented (most people would rather have judges provide justice to ordinary people than to play an outsized role in high profile political cases).

Perhaps, the best course to stabilise the situation would be for the government to announce a date for early elections. In the interim, it seems time has come for a caretaker civilian government of technocrats and men of integrity that enjoy the confidence of major political parties and can steer and hold the country through these very challenging times.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Corruption charges: Capital police refuse to help arrest Malik Riaz</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/398383/corruption-charges-capital-police-refuse-to-help-arrest-malik-riaz</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/398383/corruption-charges-capital-police-refuse-to-help-arrest-malik-riaz#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jun 12 04:37:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mudassir.raja]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=398383</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Warrants issued for arrest yet Riaz remains protected.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) accompanied by Civil Lines police, Rawalpindi officials returned empty-handed after Islamabad police reportedly refused to cooperate or aid them in the arrest of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz on Saturday.


A raiding party of ACE, headed by Rawalpindi Circle In-charge Tanveer Shahzad, went to Islamabad to arrest Malik Riaz after a trial court issued warrants for his arrest in a land scam case.

Upon reaching Riaz’s residence in G-6/3 they were intercepted by Islamabad police and told not to proceed.

An official of ACE, part of the raiding party, confided to The Express Tribune that they were restricted to Aabpara police station, and a police official told the ACE team that the arrest could not continue as they had not followed the required legal procedure to arrest Riaz from Islamabad.

A security team had also been provided to Riaz to counter any moves for his detention, including six personnel of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, according to sources.

When asked why the raiding party was stopped, an official from Islamabad police, requesting anonymity said: “Legally, the ACE officials cannot make the arrest in an area outside their jurisdiction. If they had to, they should have asked for the local police’s assistance.”

The incident sparked outrage amongst high-ups in the Islamabad Police. A source in the Aabpara police station told The Express Tribune that an FIR was lodged against the raiding party before their return to Rawalpindi. The Inspector General of Police suspended and transferred the SDPO City Liaqat Niazi and SHO Aabpara police station Khalid Awan on ‘negligence’.

Seven junior rank officials were also suspended on the same charges but all were later reinstated.

A special anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi had released warrants for the arrest of former Bahria Town owner on June 21 after his alleged involvement in purchase of 1,401 kanals of land in Rawat using fake identities and forged documents. ACE Director Rawalpindi Muhammad Khan Ranjah said they would inform the trial court about the efforts of the investigation agency and it was now up to the court to decide what legal step should be taken following the non-cooperation of the Islamabad police.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Media morals</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397720/media-morals</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397720/media-morals#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 12 19:48:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[salman.masood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397720</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The selectively televised full-court meeting last week gave a partisan and expedient impression of Chief Justice.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The brouhaha over the Dunya News video leak has shifted the spotlight from the real issue of accountability to the dark underbelly of the television news networks. Though it fills me with a sense of gratification that within days of writing an article for this newspaper, (“Modern-day gladiators”, June 8), the thrust of the article was reinforced; general public witnessed on TV the macabre machinations that have brought infamy to electronic media, especially the talk show hosts. But talk show hosts are just one aspect of the bigger picture and the singular focus on the television news networks is misleading. Malik Riaz, the billionaire wheeler-dealer, levelled allegations against the son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, accusing him of graft. That remains the real issue.

The reputation of the business tycoon has been under the cloud ever since he set foot in the real estate industry. Although money cannot buy everything, Malik Riaz has tried to attempt it anyhow. His rags to riches journey was possible only because as an outsider to the system, he realised that he could wheedle his way in only through sheer ingratiation and doling out as much money as was the worth of the person he had to deal with. He has been unabashed about his ways and has called out those who deny this as hypocrites. Given his ways, it should not be a surprise that he tried to sway the courts by attempting to cohort the son of the chief justice. What is surprising, albeit shocking, is how easily the prodigal son allowed himself to enter into a situation that has charred not only him but also his father.

Justice Chaudhry’s defence of being unaware of his son’s excesses is disingenuous and improbable. Quoting religious scriptures and absolving himself from the responsibility of ensuring that his son does not enter into dubious dealings is a pale and unfortunate justification. Questions about the activism of the chief justice in investigating charges of corruption anywhere and everywhere except home have surfaced, inevitably, and cannot be easily brushed under the carpet. This, however, seems to be the effort. The insinuation that asking the son to clear his name and justifying how he managed to erect a business worth Rs900 million is akin to limiting the independence of the judiciary is rather ludicrous. The Lawyers’ Movement was iconoclastic in essence. It is surprising that those who were at the forefront of this movement have themselves turned a blind eye to the core of their struggle. Recent attempts to cement the judiciary as a holy cow, when all others have been shattered, reek of selective morality and principles.

The billionaire tycoon and the high-rolling son must stand in the dock without any discrimination. The recent judgments by the Court give an impression that the judges have tried to steer themselves clear from such an eventuality, despite throwing the ball in the government’s court. The selectively televised full-court meeting last week gave a partisan and expedient impression, especially when the chief justice reprimanded the obsequious chairman of Pemra for footage that was leaked on Youtube in the first instance. The formation of a two-member judges committee that would delve into media regulation will be a positive step only if it does not attempt to shield the judges or their families from any accountability or scrutiny.

The self-righteous electronic media, meanwhile, is licking its wounds. Given how things work around here, the wounded beast will be back on its feet soon, with an even more aggressive posture. The beleaguered anchors have already heaped the blame on the powerful owners of television networks. The owners, the master puppeteers, remain safely bunkered, unscathed by the public opprobrium. In this game of smoke and mirrors, all power players are guilty of hubris, expediency and selective moral.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>CJ isolates himself from hearing Bahria Town cases</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397646/cj-isolates-himself-from-hearing-bahria-town-cases</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397646/cj-isolates-himself-from-hearing-bahria-town-cases#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 12 09:54:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397646</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[According to an order issued by the chief justice, he will not be a part of the three-member bench hearing cases.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who had confronted several allegations by business magnate Malik Riaz, isolated himself from hearing cases pertinent to Bahria Town, Express News reported on Friday.

According to an order issued by the chief justice, he will not be a part of the three-member bench hearing cases, including the murder of a security guard, sessions judge inquiry case and land controversies.

The cases will now be heard by a two-member bench, including Justice Jawad S Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain.

The order further stated that Justice Shakirullah Jan is currently presiding over the two-member bench hearing the contempt case against Riaz.

A suo motu was taken by the chief justice against his son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and Riaz, following media reports that Iftikhar had received between Rs300 and Rs400 million from Riaz to influence judicial proceedings.

Justice Chaudhry said that he was inspired from the conduct of Hazrat Ali, who disassociated himself from a battle when felt that his personnel interests got involved instead of Allah’s will, the judiciary should not be biased and all the verdicts should be announced on merit.

The written order of the court in the case stated that contempt of court proceedings were underway against Malik Riaz before a bench of the apex court.

There have been allegations leveled against the chief justice by Malik Riaz which is why he (chief justice) will not hear cases against Bahria Town, the order said.

Later, the court adjourned hearing of the Bahria Town guard murder case until June 25.]]>
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			<title>Court grants Malik Riaz a week for lawyer hunt</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397460/court-grants-malik-riaz-a-week-for-lawyer-hunt</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397460/court-grants-malik-riaz-a-week-for-lawyer-hunt#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 12 05:22:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397460</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The court also directed the bar associations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to not restrict anyone from taking up case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday granted real-estate tycoon Malik Riaz seven days to find a lawyer to represent himself while hearing a contempt of court case.


The court also directed the bar associations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to not restrict anyone from taking up the case.

The court took notice of the June 12 news conference during which Riaz hurled serious allegations against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his son Arsalan Iftikhar.

“Whichever lawyer I contact refuses to cooperate with me,” Riaz told the court. “Raymond Davis could hire a lawyer but I cannot.”

“The worst of men are able to find a lawyer to represent them,” responded Justice Gulzar. “Why are you unable to find one?”

Riaz said that with the media and bar associations against him, no one was willing to take on his case.

Justice Shakirullah Jan, however, directed the bar associations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid putting restrictions on any lawyers in this regard, which he said would be tantamount to obstruction of justice.

Justice Jan said that if Riaz failed to hire a lawyer the court would provide him one on state expenses, as was done in Ajmal Kasab’s case across the border.

Riaz tried to explain why he had called a news conference but did not share any details. He also told the court that Arsalan Iftikhar was issuing statements against him.

The court, however, told him to focus on this particular case.

“I have great respect for the court, I cannot sit for a long time because I have urinary problems and yet I attended the proceedings,” Riaz told the court. The hearing was adjourned till June 28.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>DHA security guard’s murder: FIA gives clean chit to tycoon</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397399/dha-security-guard%e2%80%99s-murder-fia-gives-clean-chit-to-tycoon</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397399/dha-security-guard%e2%80%99s-murder-fia-gives-clean-chit-to-tycoon#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 12 05:17:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397399</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Agency’s report says DHA was found to be beneficiary.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has given a clean chit to real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in its inquiry into the murder of a security guard in relation to a case of land grabbing worth of Rs5 billion, a member of JIT told The Express Tribune.


In a report submitted by the FIA to the Supreme Court, it has been claimed that no direct evidence has surfaced against Malik Riaz regarding the murder of Defence Housing Authority Islamabad (DHAI) security guard Muhammad Fayyaz – while, conversely, DHAI was said to be the ‘beneficiary’ of the crime in the report, which is over 100 pages.

The matter will be taken up by the Supreme Court today (Friday). On June 12, 2012 the Supreme Court had expressed displeasure over the FIA for not conducting proper investigation into this case. IG Islamabad, three former IGPs, two SSPs and six SPs did not appear before the investigation team despite orders from the Supreme Court.

The JIT recorded the supplementary statements and examined 22 alleged accused out of total 24, including Malik Riaz, Shaukat Ali, Altaf and Col (Retd) Khalil. The petitioner Dr Shafiqur Rehman also provided the record to the investigation team including 115 pages Judicial Enquiry Report prepared by the District &amp; Session Judge Islamabad and submitted before the Supreme Court.

The contents of the judicial enquiry report read that land grabbing has been established beyond any iota of doubt as the sole motive behind the murder of Fayyaz.

The report gave the names of the persons whose land was forcibly taken. The report said that the FIR of the murder of Fayyaz was based on concocted story, hiding the fact that the conspirators of his murder obtained billions of rupees worth of benefit.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Blood money</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397132/blood-money</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397132/blood-money#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 12 17:08:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rasul.bakhsh.rais]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397132</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A system of loot, plunder has unfolded with great clarity with the power and influence of a real estate tycoon.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Where in the world can a ‘businessman’ become a multibillionaire in a short amount of time? Where in the world would any businessman share his ‘profits’, in billions, with politicians, journalists, media owners, bureaucrats and military generals? Where in the world can a businessman exercise so much political clout and power and with many political actors and parties under different regimes — military and civilian? Where in the world would any businessman publically brag about getting his work done through bribes and get away with it? Where in the world can an accused ‘businessman’ facing hundreds of court cases for years remain not only free but have the gall to attack the highest court in the country and brazenly question its integrity as an institution by calling a press conference? Finally, where in the world would the most powerful persons serving in the state — notably, military generals — work for such a ‘businessman’?

It happens in societies like Pakistan that have an absolute decline in good old values such as self-respect, dignity, integrity, honour, hard work, individual self-reliance and most importantly, sense of rightness, rightful earning and living within one’s means. It happens when lust for power, greed, ambition, freeloading and envy overpower weak individuals to accept free money and kill their self-conscience for material gain. When those occupying the ‘holy pulpit’ of the ‘free’ media — portraying themselves as purveyors of truth and speaking for public interest — take bribes to spin stories and become attack dogs for criminals and powerful sections of the society, there should be no qualms about them being morally dead.

There are many other symptoms of failure of the state and society in the land of the pure. In my opinion, a society’s decline starts with the decline of the state — loss of legitimacy, weakened rule of law and misuse of state power and institutions for personal gains. In fact, an outcome of the decline of the state and society is that the most corrupt figures — enemies of the people and society — become perched in the most powerful positions in the state. Just look around and you will see who is who, what position and influence each one of them occupies and how they evade any accountability. The last factor, which is the public, is crucial. The moral degeneration of Pakistan has travelled steep down; quoting Robert Fisk, “from top man to shoeshiner”. When a large part of the economy, society, politics and state institutions fall so low, corrupt individuals and groups occupying powerful positions acquire a vested interest in further decline of the state.

Such a system of loot and plunder that we have seen in Pakistan for decades is now unfolding with greater clarity than ever before with the power and influence of a real estate tycoon. The so-called ‘businessman’ works by sharing his plunder with those who matter in the system of power. Such ‘businessmen’ cannot afford to keep all the booty themselves and, by necessity, must share a good portion with those who might question them.

It is all blood money of the poor, helpless thousands of people whose lands have been taken over either by forceful sale or illegal allotment and occupation. What a cast of characters that have become our rulers, media anchors, owners and ‘businessmen’. Will the real people of Pakistan stand up and stand up to them?

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Reading men (and women)</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396484/reading-men-and-women</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396484/reading-men-and-women#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 12 17:49:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[shahzad chaudhry]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=396484</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[There are 2 kinds of men: those going with the flow; those venturing out, create spark to ignite spirit or burn down.]]>
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				<![CDATA[If ever there is a form of existence that has taught me more about life and its manifestations, it has been simply observing and reading men dealing with life’s vicissitudes. There are essentially two kinds in my grammar of things: those that go with the flow, and the few who will tend to venture out every now and then, create a spark that could either ignite the spirit to new vistas or simply burn down whatever was already there. It is the second type of man that has held my interest through the years. God knows, I have saved a few in my life from ignominious end to what I knew could be exceptional careers if ever a moment arrived when something out of the ordinary was needed. It may have been exceptionally long-term hedging, but without it can you ever have a Malik Riaz rise from the ashes of ordinariness?

Here are a few examples that we all are familiar with: My most favourite from the great land of Americas are the Clintons — and I say this in all seriousness. America hasn’t had a sharper president in recent years. He dealt with the most difficult global issues plaguing his time in office with a classy ease. Whether it was war, or the international stage to forge peace, or to envision ‘globalisation’ which would underwrite the future of the world, he waltzed his way through with that great elegance of his. And yet, yet, there was time for fun. Whitewater, the Health policy woes, the shutdown of the government, the threat of his impeachment, were all taken in stride. His comfort level was such with his surroundings that even a moment’s escapade, be it in the adjacent pantry to the Oval Office or the search to find his quarry in a tumult, gave him that opportunity to explore and venture beyond the routine. In fact, the closing down of the government gave him even greater time for other engagements. Full marks for creativity. Look at his voluminous biography; is there another in recent times, from 40 to 44, that can present itself with such great depth; and simple intellectual brilliance? I am certain he would have led America brilliantly in another World War. He would have surely been on my side if I ever had anything to do with him.

Hillary is another type; consummately intelligent, but too organised for my flavour. She had the good sense to keep the errant Bill around for better times. She is ‘planned’ — in a good way; and, knows her ‘smart’ from the rest. She may be tiring a bit now, but wow, what a couple. Explosive, in all manners of saying. But put them against Articles 62 and 63 of our Constitution, and they don’t make it. Good, they weren’t born in Pakistan.

I will leave Barack Obama out. He is work in progress and given what he had at inauguration of 2009, a possibility to begin with a clean slate, he chose to retain the filthy one that Bush, the squanderer, left. No, I wouldn’t have noticed him in the middle of a mob unless, of course, he had to make the speech at a convention. My other problem with him — he is compulsively over-rehearsed, even with his self-written speeches; there are no moments of a ‘city on the hill’. May be he will be back and maybe that is good for America given their current crop of options, but nay, he couldn’t lead America in a World War. Heck, he can’t extract America out of one in Afghanistan.

Of the recent Indian lot, only Vajpayee ji was the right kind. Most other Indians, I have met are the type that I have always expected them to be: staid, serious — too serious, a little unsure, perhaps a bit insecure, wary and apprehensive, untrusting; simply unwilling to hang out for longer than a drink; much more the regular types. Vajpayee was different and that is why he ventured out to Pakistan. By Indian standards, he was reckless; almost agreed to putting to rest the mockery that rules India and Pakistan. But then, he hit the proverbial ‘wall’ of the Indian Establishment with some help from Musharraf, and things never changed. Nehru, again, was the right kind. Sure, suave, sophisticated, with a well functioning mind which was clear and well directed too. In India, as in Pakistan, mostly systems have governed, not men and that shows in a lack of any ‘spark’ or enterprise in their societies and especially within their establishment structures. Exception should be made for Bhutto and Benazir.

But why do I take this road at all? Thanks to Malik Riaz and his nemesis, Arsalan Iftikhar, Pakistan is in the midst of another ‘gate’. I will leave young Arsalan to his father and let them sort matters out between them, but I find Malik Riaz fascinating. He is what he says he is; make of it what you want. Show me the one who may have earned his riches by staying on the straight and narrow. But is there another who has brought and put in place twenty-first century living within the reach of ordinary Pakistanis. He, to my mind, is a creator of sorts and brings dreams to reality. In doing so, the ordinary people have only gotten better. Others hold onto their precious swathes of real estate, he converts ordinary land into real estate. Real estate is precious only when it is used; unused, it remains only potentially precious. How he may get it is another story and needs to be ruthlessly regulated. Among all the rascals that man this land of ours, he is a productive rascal. No question, he must pay for his latest and other crimes, if proven. As must others who begun to get in as the net widens.

Here is the recommended list of punishments that the courts may consider: charge him to make up for the power shortages that debilitate Pakistan today; he should introduce and develop hygienic housing for our village folk in villages that surround major cities; a part of his wealth should be used to set up technology towns in parts of Pakistan where the bulging youth population should find its future. Were he to do this under the watchful eye of the Superior Courts, we would wish him even greater wealth and riches. He needs to be preserved, gainfully employed with his enterprise and not wasted. Any takers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2012.]]>
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