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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>RPPs scandal: NAB files interim reference against nine accused</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/555341/rpps-scandal-nab-files-interim-reference-against-nine-accused</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/555341/rpps-scandal-nab-files-interim-reference-against-nine-accused#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 May 13 04:28:05 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=555341</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bureau skips ex-PM Ashraf’s name in reference.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday filed an ‘interim’ reference against nine out of 10 accused persons in the Rental Power Projects case, documents available with The Express Tribune revealed.


Interestingly, NAB held back the name of former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the reference filed with an accountability court, despite the fact that a report signed by the bureau’s chairman, also available with The Express Tribune, states that evidence indicated that the former premier committed offence of corruption and corrupt practices.

The 26-page investigation report and the reference revealed that the bureau had not cleared the ex-PM in the case, and observed that his fate would be determined after he returns a questionnaire sent by investigators, as well as after the return of Shahid Rafi, the former water and power ministry secretary and former chairman of Pepco.

Ashraf is alleged to have wilfully allowed the processing of unsolicited proposal in violation of PPRA Rules 2004 and obtaining its approval from the ECC. He has, therefore, been accused of misuse of authority in obtaining approval from the ECC through misleading facts, and giving undue benefit to the sponsors of RPPs by allowing the shifting of machinery without having competent authority, in violation of Nepra rules.

The NAB investigation report also stated that the accused appeared in person and was confronted with the record and examined. However, his defence was not plausible.

Upon his request, a questionnaire has been served upon him for a detailed written defence.

Ashraf’s role in the case was discussed in detail at a case briefing held at NAB Rawalpindi on May 17, 2013. The NAB chairman said that after a detailed discussion with the NAB prosecutor general accountability and the NAB Rawalpindi team, it was decided that till former Water and Power secretary Shahid Rafi is out of the country, Ashraf’s role could not be confirmed. Moreover, the questionnaire is still awaited.



The nine accused persons were identified as former Ministry of Water and Power secretary, former Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) chairman Shahid Rafi , former Ministry of Water and Power additional secretary Sheikh Zarrar Aslam , former Pepco managing director (MD) and CEO Engineer Tahir Basharat Cheema, former director of Pepco board of directors (BOD) Malik Muhammad Razi Abbas, Pepco BOD former director Wazir AliBhayo, former Wapda Power Privatization Organization (WPPO) general manager Rana Muhammad Amjad, CEO and Director Central Power Generation Company Limited (CPGCL) Tariq Nazir, former CPGCL CEO as well as director Abdul MalikMemon and for Pepco MD Rasool Khan Mehsud.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Raja Pervaiz issues unconditional apology over contempt of court</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/552328/raja-pervaiz-issues-unconditional-apology-over-contempt-of-court</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/552328/raja-pervaiz-issues-unconditional-apology-over-contempt-of-court#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 13 08:51:47 +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=552328</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Former prime minister takes back his letter he had earlier written to the SC for a new inquiry commission.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf issued an unconditional apology over a contempt of court notice in relation to the Rental Power Plants scam, reported Express News on Tuesday.

The former premier submitted a written apology to the Supreme Court in which he took back a letter he had earlier written.

The letter asked the court to constitute an inquiry commission comprising Dr Shoaib Suddle to probe into the multi-billion RPPs scandal, independent of the ongoing investigations being conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

In March, the Supreme Court had issued a contempt notice to Ashraf over the letter, admonishing him for attempting to initiate an inquiry commission.

Read: Background: What is the RPPs case?]]>
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			<title>RPPs case: Raja Pervaiz denies receiving kickbacks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/551000/rpps-case-raja-pervaiz-denies-receiving-kickbacks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/551000/rpps-case-raja-pervaiz-denies-receiving-kickbacks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 May 13 04:44:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=551000</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[NAB official says at least 70% evidence mandatory to get conviction against accused.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appeared before the National Accountability Bureau on Friday over allegations that he had accepted kickbacks in Rental Power Projects (RPPs), while serving as minister for water and power.


In the questioning session which lasted 30 minutes, the former premier denied allegations against him. Taking an offensive stance, he told the investigating officers that the allegations levelled against him were without any concrete evidence and had damaged his reputation.

“The former premier denied receiving any kickbacks in the rental power projects,” said a NAB official. The NAB investigators had earlier summoned Ashraf to appear before the bureau on Tuesday over the Naudero II Rental Power plant, one of the 12 RPPs, which he failed to comply citing ill health as a reason.

Ashraf, as the minister for water and power, was accused of accepting kickbacks in awarding the 50 MW Naudero II project contract to a foreign company which failed to produce electricity for the government to purchase.

“Enough evidence against the accused was necessary to file references in the accountability court otherwise the chances of conviction were slim,” said a NAB official who added that at least 70% evidence was mandatory to get a conviction against an accused in the court which was still unavailable to investigating team.

However, Ashraf along with all other accused in the case were barred from leaving the country. Their names were put on Exit Control List. NAB were required to complete investigations against Ashraf and co-accused prior to May 27—deadline given to the bureau by Supreme Court for completing the probe and filing references against the accused in the accountability courts.

Ashraf was accused of receiving kickbacks from several foreign companies for rental power projects disregarding the fact that the power plants would sell expensive electricity to the government. Against the rules, the former minister also recommended release of advance money to the plants which was materialised after a heads up from the former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Following investigations, the NAB estimated that the RPPs owed Rs22 billion to the government besides damages. The NAB managed to recover Rs5 billion of the amount while the rest was still unpaid.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>RPPs case: Ex-PM falls sick ahead of NAB questioning</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/549469/rpps-case-ex-pm-falls-sick-ahead-of-nab-questioning</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/549469/rpps-case-ex-pm-falls-sick-ahead-of-nab-questioning#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 13 04:48:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=549469</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[NAB to present plan for Nawaz’s anti-corruption drive.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Citing a bout of ill health, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf skipped a round of questioning in the rental power projects (RPPs) case that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had ordered a day earlier.


The bureau had summoned Ashraf to present himself before investigators in the RPPs corruption case. Ashraf, who was minister for water and power then, is accused of receiving kickbacks in the RPP deals.

In a written reply to NAB summons, the former premier stated that he was unable to appear before the accountability watchdog due to illness. However, he did not specify the nature of the illness.

“I’m not aware if he provided any medical certificate with his reply,” said an official of NAB, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official added the former prime minister would not get away as the bureau would summon him again soon.

The recent summons by NAB were directly related to a 50 MW Naudero II power project case where investigators claim that the ex-minister for water and power was holding key evidence, besides concealing information which was vital to frame charges against him and other accused in the cases.

So far, NAB has recovered Rs5 billion of the total amount in question from those companies which were paid in advance by the then government.

Earlier, the NAB investigators also questioned former finance minister Shaukat Tareen who was accused of authorising the release of money to the companies. Tareen told the probe team he had authorised the payments only after the prime minister’s approval.

The NAB officials said they were planning to file references against half of the accused in the RPPs cases before May 27, the deadline set by the Supreme Court for NAB to complete investigations.

NAB chief offers cooperation

The NAB will present an immediate and long-term action plan to the incoming government for its anti-corruption drive. “The NAB is determined to follow the new government’s declared intent of zero tolerance on corruption and full promotion of meritocracy for good governance,” said the NAB spokesperson. He dispelled speculations related to the NAB chairman’s appointment.

Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari had been appointed naval chief by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and as NAB chief his conduct has been entirely aboveboard in difficult circumstances, the spokesperson added.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the chairman was holding a four year statutory appointment and could not be removed, except in the manner specified for Supreme Court judges.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental Power Projects case: With his name on ECL, Raja to face NAB investigators</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/548971/rental-power-projects-case-with-his-name-on-ecl-raja-to-face-nab-investigators</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/548971/rental-power-projects-case-with-his-name-on-ecl-raja-to-face-nab-investigators#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 13 04:01:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=548971</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shaukat Tarin says he approved payment after PM’s orders.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has been summoned for questioning by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Rental Power Projects (RPP) corruption case on Tuesday.


On the request of NAB, the names of all the suspects in the RPP case have been put on the Exit Control List (ECL). Ashraf, who had not been previously barred from leaving the country due to his status as prime minister, has now been put on the list, said an official from NAB.

Immigration officials at all ports of exit from the country have been directed to stop Ashraf and the co-accused from leaving the country.

“Investigations in RPPs were already under way as per directions of the Supreme Court. The Naudero-II project is the first case where the former prime minister has been summoned, the rest of the cases will follow,” revealed a NAB officer.

The bureau has been given one month by the SC to complete investigations and submit report by May 27 this year. Despite earlier rumours that the accountability bureau had stopped investigations in the RPP scandal, NAB sources said investigations against 30 accused in 12 RPP cases were still under way.

NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bukhari earlier informed the media that NAB investigators were busy collecting evidence against the accused in 12 RPP cases. Last month, the chairman had informed journalists that references against the accused would be filed after concrete evidence was found.

In a related development, a NAB team questioned former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, one of the accused in the RPP scandal, who maintained that he cleared the payment for Naudero-II RPP only after approval from the prime minister and the then minister for water and power Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Tarin said he had refused to approve the 50MW power project in Naudero without the approval of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the sponsor.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Unfinished business</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/540493/unfinished-business</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/540493/unfinished-business#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 13 18:30:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=540493</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The deceptions and the attempts to fool the Court by NAB in the handling of RPP case seems completely underhand.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[There is too much unfinished business in our country. In departments everywhere, we have inquiry reports which leave open questions and commission findings which are never followed up on. It now seems there may be an addition to this. According to a report in this newspaper, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has covertly ended its inquiry into the Rental Power Plants corruption case, allegedly on the basis that since no money trail existed, no one could be identified as a culprit. The high-profile case involved, among others, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, former finance secretary Salman Siddique, former water and power secretary Shahid Rafi and former establishment and water and power secretary Ismail Qureshi.

To add insult to injury, while the case was wound up during the last days of the PPP government, the Supreme Court has been deliberately fooled by not being informed of this. Instead, more time has been sought from it to continue the investigation. It should be noted that early this year, the Court ordered the arrest of 15 persons, including Mr Ashraf, in the case. In another twist, an investigator for NAB, Kamran Faisal, was found dead in January under mysterious circumstances.

We all know the case is a serious one. The handling by NAB, the deceptions involved and the attempts to fool the Court seem completely underhand. The actions by the body are unacceptable. Given the situation in our country, there is an urgent need to bring the corrupt to justice. If there are deliberate attempts to let dishonest officials who have walked away with public money off the hook, we will be in deeper trouble than ever before. NAB was set up to tackle wrongdoing at high levels. Instead, it seems to be doing just the opposite by conniving to let top officials off the hook and thus promoting a culture of still greater freedom for those at the top to engage in corrupt acts, confident that they will get off scot-free at the end of the day.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>RPPs case: NAB ‘discreetly’ ends probe without informing SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/540316/rpps-case-nab-discreetly-ends-probe-without-informing-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/540316/rpps-case-nab-discreetly-ends-probe-without-informing-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 13 00:54:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=540316</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Prosecutor general requests apex court for more time to conduct investigations.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The National Accountability Bureau has discreetly ended its investigation into the high-profile Rental Power Plants (RPPs) corruption case involving former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf last month without informing the Supreme Court.


In fact, not only was the SC not kept in the loop, NAB also sought more time from the apex court on Wednesday to conduct further investigations despite already closing the case.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, which were headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, NAB Prosecutor General (Accountability) KK Agha requested the court to grant an extra month to the bureau so that it could complete its investigation. This time, Agha said, was needed to comply with the court’s orders regarding the filing of references against the accused before the accountability court and for initiating action against them.

But official documents available with The Express Tribune reveal that the investigation into the RPPs scandal was ended three days before the end of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government’s tenure.

On March 13, the executive board meeting of NAB closed the investigations into the alleged corrupt practices and misuse of authority in awarding the 192 megawatts RPP contract to Pakistan Power Resources Piranghib Multan.

According to the documents, the investigation was closed on the grounds that “Since there is no money trail, Mens rea (guilty mind or intent) cannot be proved and there is only violation of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Rules and it appears that the violation was resorted to [in order to] save money.”

Similarly, the anti-graft body also ended its investigation into the 150MW RPP contract which was awarded to Techno Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd at Sahuwal, Sialkot, causing Rs20.44 million in losses to the national exchequer.

The contents of the meeting’s decision regarding this case reads: “Investigation Officer failed to collect any evidence about a criminal act and the money trail so mens rea cannot be established, and there is only violation of PPRA Rules and it appears that the violation was resorted to save money. The investigation into the government functionaries is closed except the company, which should be offered Voluntary Return if any amount is due against them.”

The reasons given by NAB to justify the closure of the investigation suggest that many high profile government officials who were allegedly involved in corruption amounting to billions of rupees have been given a clean chit.

The winding up of the cases, at least by NAB, is good news for the accused, which include Ashraf, former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, former finance secretary Salman Siddique, former water and power secretary Shahid Rafi and former establishment and water and power secretary Ismail Qureshi, among others.

The copy of the letter pertaining to the minutes of the EB meeting held on March 13 at NAB headquarters was issued with the stamp and signature of Brigadier (retd) Farooq Naseer Awan, the principal secretary to NAB chairman.

The Supreme Court on January 15, 2013 had ordered NAB to arrest former premier Ashraf and 15 others, including Tareen.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry also directed NAB to submit a report on January 17.

The court said that, on the face of it, the accountability body’s investigating officers case were not being allowed to ensure the implementation of the court’s judgment in letter and spirit.

Kamran Faisal, one of the lead investigators in the case was also found dead on January 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Lahore High Court conditionally accepts Raja Pervaiz Ashraf's nomination</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/537260/lahore-high-court-conditionally-accepts-raja-pervaiz-ashrafs-nomination</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/537260/lahore-high-court-conditionally-accepts-raja-pervaiz-ashrafs-nomination#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 13 14:08:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=537260</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[LHC overturns decision of election tribunal that had rejected Ashraf's nomination.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Lahore High Court on Thursday conditionally allowed former prime minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to participate in the general elections.

Earlier, an election tribunal had rejected Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s nomination on account of his involvement in the rental power projects and a court of contempt case. The court decided that since Ashraf’s involvement in the cases had not yet been proven, the decision be immediately repealed. They were also asked to add Ashraf’s name in the list of candidates.

At the same time, the LHC has asked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Election Commission to decide by 22 April if the charges levied against Raja Ashraf are true and if regulations of the Election Commission affect Raja Ashraf’s candidacy.

The verdict would eventually decide whether Ashraf is allowed to participate in the elections. If the decision doesn't rule in his favour, his name will be taken out from the list of candidates. In the event he is successful in the elections, the notification of his success would be suspended, the LHC ruled.]]>
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			<title>Tossed out: Ex-PM Ashraf not ‘Ameen’ enough to contest elections</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/536147/tossed-out-ex-pm-ashraf-not-ameen-enough-to-contest-elections</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/536147/tossed-out-ex-pm-ashraf-not-ameen-enough-to-contest-elections#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 13 22:08:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondents]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=536147</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sharif brothers’ cleared; Musharraf’s appeal dismissed.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Raja Pervaiz Ashraf may be a former prime minister, but apparently he is not ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ (sagacious and righteous) enough to run for elections. At least, that’s what a two-member election tribunal of Rawalpindi division decided on Monday. 


Ashraf’s papers were rejected on three counts: for awarding a contract to the National Logistics Cell (NLC) without advertising it as per the rules; for his involvement in the Rental Power Projects case, and for a contempt of court case he incurred by writing a letter to the Supreme Court.

The first case, in which a contract was awarded to the NLC for constructing roads in Ashraf’s constituency, had earlier been dubbed a case of ‘naked corruption’ by the Islamabad High Court.

Sheikh Zameer Hussain, representing the returning officer, told the tribunal that Ashraf has been declared as being not ‘sagacious and righteous’ by the IHC and has also been issued a notice by the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case.

Farooq H Naek, Ashraf’s counsel in this case, said terming Ashraf not ‘sagacious and righteous’ were mere observations of the IHC judge.

When the tribunal asked Naek whether it was competent to overrule the high court’s decision, Naek replied that the IHC did not hear him out before issuing the judgment.

“No one can be declared as being not ‘sagacious and righteous’ without hearing the witnesses,” Naek said. “The matters are pending in courts. He can be disqualified if proven guilty,” he said, adding that it would be injustice if Ashraf is disqualified and the court later acquits him.

Talking to reporters, Naek said they would appeal in the Supreme Court if Ashraf was disqualified.

Meanwhile, there was also bad news for the former opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly, Nawabzada Tariq Magsi. The Balochistan election tribunal rejected his papers, while also dismissing appeals against PTI Balochistan President Qasim Suri and PML-Q Balochistan President Jaffar Khan Mandokhel.

But while one former prime minister will seemingly sit this election out, another is all set to go campaigning. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif got a clean chit from the election tribunal on Monday, along with his brother Shahbaz Sharif, former information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Imtiaz Safdar Warraich.

The tribunal dismissed appeals filed against the candidature of the Sharifs and Kaira while accepting Warraich’s appeal against the rejection of his nomination papers.

Nawaz will now contest elections from NA-119 and NA-120, while Shahbaz Sharif will contest from NA-129 and PP-161. Warraich will take a shot at NA-98 (Gujranwala), while Kaira will contest a National Assembly seat from Gujrat.

Four appeals were filed against the acceptance of Nawaz’s  nomination papers from NA-120, seeking his disqualification on the grounds of alleged discrepancies in his assets and income statements. The appellants also argued that it had been established that both Sharifs had received money from the agencies to manoeuvre the 1990 general elections.

Nawaz was also accused of being involved in money laundering, and one of the appellants accused him of illegally occupying her ancestral property in the Shah Alam area. However, the tribunal dismissed all appeals by declaring them non maintainable.

But while Nawaz can now concentrate on PML-N’s election campaign, the man who once removed him from power is facing hurdles.

An election tribunal on Monday dismissed the former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s petition against the rejection of his nomination papers for NA-250 (Karachi).

Musharraf’s papers had been rejected on allegations of suspending the Constitution and removing and detaining judges in 2007, among other charges.

Headed by Justice Faisal Arab, the two-member tribunal dismissed the plea through a short order, saying the reasons would follow in the detailed judgment to be announced later.

Musharraf’s lawyer, Khawaja Naveed Ahmed, said the RO had rejected his papers despite the fact that no case is pending against him with regard to subversion of the Constitution and holding the Constitution in abeyance in November 2007.

“His nomination papers were also accepted from NA-32 Chitral by the returning officer,” he said.

He also argued that several convicted persons, including former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Mohajir Qaumi Movement’s Chairman Afaq Ahmed have been allowed to contest the election. The tribunal, however, was not convinced by his arguments.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental power projects case: ‘Ex-PM’s letter a bid to influence court’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/528131/rental-power-projects-case-ex-pms-letter-a-bid-to-influence-court</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/528131/rental-power-projects-case-ex-pms-letter-a-bid-to-influence-court#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 13 06:04:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=528131</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC issues contempt notice to Ashraf; counsel argues letter was a simple request.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Thursday for influencing legal proceedings in the Renal Power Project case.


On March 8, Ashraf had written directly to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, asking for an independent commission to investigate the case. The letter was seen by the top court as a bid to obtain undue favours.

A three-person bench, headed by the chief justice, directed the former prime minister to explain why he should not be charged with contempt of court for such a move.

Ashraf’s counsel, Wasim Sajjad, expressed confusion at the court’s decision. “Why is there undue sensitivity? If the bench was not satisfied with the request of the ex-premier, they should have just rejected the plea,” he said.

To this, the chief justice remarked that the letter he had received was not just a ‘request’.

“[The] letter was written by the PM on his official letter pad, with the signatures of his personal secretary, and addressed to the chief justice of the country. It is not a request. Rather, it is an attempt to influence proceedings in the RPP scam,” said Chief Justice Chaudhry.

In its written order, the bench stated that Ashraf should have appeared in person or made contact through proper channels if he wanted to seek an independent inquiry.

Furthermore, the bench remained wary of extending any sort of preferential treatment.

“If the demand of the former PM is accepted, it will set a historic precedent and encourage other high officials to write directly to the chief justice, asking for certain reliefs,” the order further stated.

The chief justice also observed that the document was made public through the media even before it reached the office of the SC registrar. This illustrated an attempt to manipulate the proceedings.

Additionally, Chief Justice Chaudhry noted that Ashraf could have gone about this in a different, legitimate manner. While he had filed a review petition in March 2012, expressing his opposition to the SC’s decision and asking for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to look into the matter, he later withdrew it in February 2013. Then, as premier, he threw his weight forth and wrote directly to the chief justice, asking for a commission, headed by Dr Sohaib Suddle, to be formed.

Sajjad argued repeatedly that Ashraf’s letter was a simple request, nothing more. It was made at a time when the premier was under fire for allegedly influencing investigations, especially after Kamran Faisal’s death.

NAB Prosecutor-General KK Agha said the bureau had no objection over the appointment of a commission if the SC ordered it. However, he said, NAB had undertaken investigation and submitted two interim reports to the apex court already. The bench directed Ashraf to appear in person, or through a lawyer, and adjourned proceedings for two weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>RPPs case: SC issues contempt notice to Raja Pervaiz Ashraf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/527687/rpps-case-sc-issues-contempt-notice-to-raja-pervaiz-ashraf</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/527687/rpps-case-sc-issues-contempt-notice-to-raja-pervaiz-ashraf#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 13 05:48:50 +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=527687</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The court orders the former prime minister to appear in person during next hearing.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a contempt of court notice to former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the Rental Power Projects (RPPs) case on Thursday, reported Express News.

The court ordered the former prime minister to appear in person before the bench in the next hearing.

Earlier during his tenure as the prime minister, Ashraf had written a letter urging the apex court to constitute an inquiry commission comprising Dr Shoaib Suddle to probe into the multi-billion RPPs scandal, independent of the ongoing investigations being conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The court had admonished Ashraf for attempting to initiate an inquiry commission.

The hearing was adjourned till two weeks.]]>
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			<title>SC admits premier's letter seeking judicial probe into RPP case as petition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/518288/sc-admits-premiers-letter-seeking-judicial-probe-into-rpp-case-as-petition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/518288/sc-admits-premiers-letter-seeking-judicial-probe-into-rpp-case-as-petition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 09 Mar 13 13:08:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=518288</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Supreme Court to hear petition on Monday, March 11, 2013.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan requesting for a judicial commission to be formed over allegations of corruption in Rental Power case has been accepted as a petition in the Supreme Court, Express News reported.

The apex court will hear the petition on Monday, March 11, 2013. Either the prime minister or a counsel authorised to represent him, can appear before the court for the hearing.

Ashraf – who is among those accused in the RPP case – wrote a letter to the Supreme Court on Friday, requesting it to form a judicial commission to look into the case.

The prime minister asked the court to direct an independent inquiry into the RPPs case by Federal Tax Ombudsman Shoaib Suddle.

The move is seen by constitutional experts as an effort by the premier to find a way out before the elections as the chief executive has the authority to institute the commission himself.

“Under the Commission of Inquiry Act, the government can form an inquiry commission without getting permission from the court,” Dr Khalid Ranjha told The Express Tribune.

According to sources in the SC, the Prime Minister, in his letter, maintained that the allegations against him in the RPPs case had undermined the dignity of his office and reputation of the country.]]>
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			<title>RPPs Case: Ashraf asks SC to form a judicial commission</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/518101/rpps-case-ashraf-asks-sc-to-form-a-judicial-commission</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/518101/rpps-case-ashraf-asks-sc-to-form-a-judicial-commission#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 13 22:42:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mudassir.raja]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=518101</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[“I do not understand why PM has asked the court to institute a commission he could have formed himself,” says...]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a fresh twist in the rental power plants (RPPs) case, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf – who is among those accused – has written a letter to the Supreme Court (SC), requesting it to form a judicial commission to look into the case.


With just a handful of days remaining before the end of the incumbent government’s tenure, Prime Minister Ashraf has asked the court to direct an independent inquiry into the RPPs case by Federal Tax Ombudsman Shoaib Suddle. The move is seen by constitutional experts as an effort by the premier to find a way out before the elections as the chief executive has the authority to institute the commission himself.

“Under the Commission of Inquiry Act, the government can form an inquiry commission without getting permission from the court,” Dr Khalid Ranjha told The Express Tribune.

“I do not understand why he has asked the court to institute a commission he could have formed himself,” he added. Dr Ranjha suggested safeguarding foreign investment in the country could be a likely reason for seeking the court’s intervention.

“The Prime Minister will have to satisfy the SC about his lack of confidence in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which is investigating the RPPs case,” opined constitutional expert Salman Raja.  He said PM Ashraf may have taken precedent from Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s son Arsalan Iftikhar, who expressed no confidence in NAB and asked for an independent commission.

“But in that case, the accused raised objections against the investigators,” noted Raja. He further maintained that it would have been better if PM Ashraf pleaded to be a party in the case and submitted his arguments before the court.

According to sources in the SC, the Prime Minister, in his letter, maintained the allegations against him in the RPPs case had undermined the dignity of his office and reputation of the country.

The SC had earlier directed NAB to arrest all the accused in the case, including PM Ashraf. The premier was accused of taking kickbacks while awarding the contracts for the RPPs during his tenure as minister for water and power.

In its verdict announced on March 30, 2012, the SC dissolved all the RPPs and directed the NAB to carry out legal proceedings against all those involved in the corruption. Former federal minister for housing and works Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, a politician from Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, had moved the apex court against Ashraf, accusing him of corruption in the RPPs case.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental Power Case is propaganda against me: PM Ashraf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/517688/rental-power-case-pm-requests-cj-to-form-judicial-commission</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/517688/rental-power-case-pm-requests-cj-to-form-judicial-commission#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 13 09:42:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=517688</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Raja Pervez Ashraf writes letter to CJ requesting probe into the case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf wrote a letter to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday, requesting him to form a judicial commission to probe the rental power case, Express News reported Friday.

The prime minister requested the chief justice to form a commission under former police official Shoaib Suddle to investigate the matter.

Ashraf further said that, “This [case] is a propaganda against me. I have put myself forward for investigations.”

PM Ashraf was given the title of 'Raja Rental' after he was accused of receiving kickbacks in the rental power projects.

He was also accused of buying property in London from money earned through corruption in various scams.

He has been defending himself in the Supreme Court.]]>
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			<title>Kamran Faisal investigation: Experts visit site of NAB officer’s death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503783/kamran-faisal-investigation-experts-visit-site-of-nab-officers-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503783/kamran-faisal-investigation-experts-visit-site-of-nab-officers-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 13 05:25:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=503783</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Move met with heated reactions from local police.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A four-member team from the Punjab Forensic Science Academy (PFSA) visited on Wednesday the room where National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigator Kamran Faisal “committed suicide”.


The body of Kamran Faisal, who was investigating the infamous rental power project case, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room in Federal Lodges on January 18. His death was “ruled suicide” – a claim his family does not believe.

Police investigators, however, have called the exercise “futile”.  The Secretariat police said they had no idea what the PFSA was trying to establish by first exhuming the body and now visiting the crime scene.

One of the investigators said the PFSA were granted permission to visit the scene and to exhume Faisal’s body only to avoid “finger-pointing”.

“We want to keep the investigations fair and transparent and do not want the NAB officer’s family or anyone raising any objections or suspicions on police’s role,” said the officer.

“They took pictures and collected fingerprints. They found nothing new. We have already collected evidence that was available there,” said an officer from Secretariat police station who accompanied the team during their visit.

“It does not matter if a picture is taken with an imported camera or a local one, it remains a picture. We already possess all the fingerprints taken from the scene,” he said.

Forensic experts avoided the media. However, one member, Faiza Arshad, told journalists that they had completed their work before leaving for Lahore.

An Islamabad police officer said that visiting a crime scene was not the PFSA’s mandate. “It has nothing to do with their job which is limited only to forensic examination,” he added.



He also told The Express Tribune that the Islamabad police were writing a second letter to PFSA, informing them that they were overstepping their mandate and causing “an unnecessary delay in the probe into the high-profile case”.

PFSA report’s authenticity

The PFSA has been tight-lipped on the issue. However, they conveyed to the police that they were trying to establish the “missing links” in the probe by ascertaining if the NAB officer was murdered or if he committed suicide. The modus operandi, they suggested, would be to collect any evidence, through DNA tests, proving the presence of a second person at the time of Faisal’s death.

Despite their explanation, their continued work on the case has angered local police.

“In case they do find some DNA traces from Faisal’s clothes, how would they prove the person was there with him at the time of his death,” a capital police officer questioned.

“I am not sure if their report would be credible anymore. We will have to see but we have conveyed to them our concerns over their activities,” he added.

The PFSA wrote a letter to CPO Islamabad two weeks ago and asked for permission to exhume Faisal’s body for further samples for chemical examination. They also requested the police to provide them the clothes he was wearing at the time of his death besides seeking a visit to crime scene.

After completing the examination process, the PFSA will provide a forensic report.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>RPPs implementation case: SC turns down NAB request for larger bench</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/502815/rpps-implementation-case-sc-turns-down-nab-request-for-larger-bench</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/502815/rpps-implementation-case-sc-turns-down-nab-request-for-larger-bench#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 13 05:20:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=502815</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bureau chairman given till February 12 to engage counsel.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court rejected on Monday the National Accountability Bureau’s request for the constitution of a larger bench for the Rental Power Projects’ (RPPs) implementation case hearing.


“Since the RPPs case was heard and concluded by a two-judge bench, there is no need to constitute a larger bench for hearing the implementation process,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry told NAB Prosecutor-General Karim Khan Agha. He said the three-member bench, headed by him, was enough.

NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari, who was also present in court, sought time to engage a counsel. The court accepted his request and gave him till February 12 to do so.

The court had issued a contempt of court notice to Bokhari for his controversial letter to President Asif Ali Zardari in which he hurled serious allegations against the judiciary. The letter was written after the court directed NAB to arrest high-ranking officials, including the prime minister, involved in the RPPs scandal.

During the previous hearing, NAB insisted that the implementation of the court’s orders in the RPPs case be held till the Kamran Faisal murder investigation was completed. Faisal, a NAB officer investigating the RPPs scandal, was found hanging from the ceiling of his room, last month.



The chief justice did not, however, accept the request, upon which the bureau’s chairman vowed to prosecute the accused persons.

NAB Prosecutor-General KK Agha told The Express Tribune that two other related cases were also pending with different benches and the NAB wished to save the court’s time. If all the cases were heard by one bench, it would be easier for NAB to assist the court, he said.

Meanwhile, a similar request was also declined by the court on Monday when an assistant of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan asked the court to shift an LPG-related case to another bench since Aitzaz has vowed not to appear before bench number one, where the chief justice hears cases. The bench observed, however, that Ahsan had appeared before bench number one in some cases in the past and there was no precedent to shift cases at someone’s will.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>RPPs case: SC issues contempt notice to NAB chief</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501300/rpps-case-sc-issues-contempt-notice-to-nab-chief</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501300/rpps-case-sc-issues-contempt-notice-to-nab-chief#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 13 06:57:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=501300</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Issues order against any civilian or military steps that will delay election on the basis of a letter to president.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court’s eagerness to rewrite the rules of the power game in the country was on full display on Thursday.


The court issued warnings to the executive, both civilian and military, against any move that would delay the upcoming polls on the basis of a controversial letter written by the NAB chief to the president.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry made the remarks after NAB Chairman Fasih Bokhari wrote to the president, accusing the superior judiciary of putting “extreme pressure” on officers investigating graft allegations against top political leaders, including the prime minister.

In his letter, the NAB chairman had also accused the court of indulging in a campaign that could loosely be seen as a form of “pre-poll rigging”.

On Thursday, NAB Prosecutor General K K Agha read out the text of the letter sent by the bureau’s chairman as the bench had directed that a verified copy of the letter be presented in court.

When Agha read out the words “pre-poll rigging” from the letter in court today, the chief justice said, “Deviation from the Constitution or introducing any other system not recognised by the Constitution shall not be acceptable.”

“The executive, both civilian and military, will not take any actions and steps that are tantamount to delaying the election in the name of the judiciary and judges on the basis of this letter,” said Chaudhry, while summoning Bokhari to appear on February 4 to answer accusations of contempt for the contents of his letter to President Asif Ali Zardari. Earlier, on January 15, the court had ordered NAB to arrest the prime minister in the rental power projects (RPP) case.

Fresh spin on letter

A new spin was later put on the issue when Law Minister Farooq H Naek said that President Asif Ali Zardari was considering looking at the NAB chairman’s letter as a resignation.

“The president will look into his letter. He will see if it was his [Bokhari’s] resignation letter,” Naik told reporters. Naek said the president has sent him a copy of the letter with the aim of seeking his opinion. Naek made it clear that the PPP-led government did not want any confrontation with the judiciary.

‘Obstructing justice, maligning the court’

“It is amazing that such a scandalous letter is written to shatter the public confidence [in the judiciary] at a time when a number of important cases, including rental power projects (RPPs) in which the incumbent prime minister is an accused and other corruption cases, are also pending before the judiciary,” the chief justice said. Under similar apprehensions, he said former president Pervez Musharraf had imposed emergency rule in the country.

Referring to Bokhari’s missive, the chief justice observed that its contents were tantamount to interfering and obstructing the process of the court, while also attempting to malign the court and its performance with an aim to undermine its authority.

“This court, undoubtedly, enjoys the confidence of citizens of this country,” said the written order, adding that the court would continue to insist on the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.

The court also ordered imminent general elections to go ahead as planned in a bid to quash fears a fledgling democratic process is about to be derailed.

The court also took notice of statements made by top government officials, including PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, who claimed a conspiracy was being hatched “by certain elements” to delay the election by two or three years.

Citing a court judgment, the chief justice made it clear that there could not be any delay in the upcoming polls which will be held transparently, fairly, justly and strictly according with the Constitution and without any interference or hurdles from any quarter.

Addressing NAB prosecutor general, the chief justice asked whether the NAB chairman’s letter was the right course to address the bureau’s grievances.

In reply, Agha said Bokhari had reservations over the court’s position on the NAB mandate as defined in the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, adding that the chairman could have been frustrated due to the tight deadlines for investigations.

“I myself became petitioner and approached this court with grievances,” the chief justice said, referring to the time when he was deposed twice by Musharraf.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.]]>
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			<title>SC scrutiny: NAB chief comes under fire for letter to president</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/500901/sc-scrutiny-nab-chief-comes-under-fire-for-letter-to-president</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/500901/sc-scrutiny-nab-chief-comes-under-fire-for-letter-to-president#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 13 21:59:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=500901</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CJ says document amounts to ‘criticising and pressuring’ the court.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court took ‘serious’ note of a controversial letter the head of the anti-corruption watchdog wrote to the president, in which he accused the superior judiciary of trying to influence the upcoming elections, among other allegations.


Hearing the high-profile rental power projects case on Wednesday, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry demanded an authentic copy of National Accountability Bureau Chairman Fasih Bokhari’s letter, dated January 27 and dispatched from his home address.

“We want to determine whether the letter was written in an effort to pressure the court or to bring hatred and ridicule to the judiciary,” said the chief justice, adding that no one would be allowed to interfere in the judicial process.

During the proceedings, the chief justice observed that the court would scrutinise the contents of the letter to determine the NAB chief’s reasons for drafting the document, which amounts to “criticising and pressuring” the court.

Bokhari, who had also expressed reservations over the Supreme Court’s position on NAB’s mandate defined in the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, was not present during Wednesday’s hearing.

Chief Justice Chaudhry asked NAB Prosecutor General KK Agha to convey the seriousness of the issue to the NAB chairman. “We are very serious about this and will not allow the judiciary to be maligned by anyone,” he said, adding that the letter had deliberately been circulated in the electronic and print media to malign the court. However, the prosecutor general maintained that it was a private letter.

The chief justice said that the court would not take notice if it was a private letter. However, he warned of serious consequences if it proved otherwise.

“On November 3, 2007, we did not even allow a military dictator to interfere in the courts. How can we allow the NAB chairman to do so?” the chief justice added.

Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Khwaja Asif told the bench that the letter was sent through NAB’s media cell.

The apex court issued written orders to the NAB chairman to submit a verified copy of the letter and directed him to disclose the names of the authorities and media persons to whom he had sent it. The hearing was adjourned until Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2013.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Kamran Faisal's death: SC tells NAB to submit concerns in writing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499674/kamran-faisals-death-sc-tells-nab-to-submit-concerns-in-writing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499674/kamran-faisals-death-sc-tells-nab-to-submit-concerns-in-writing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 13 09:22:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499674</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[NAB prosecutor says watchdog not satisfied with how the bench is proceeding the case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[While hearing a case regarding the unnatural death of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigator Kamran Faisal, the Supreme Court said on Monday that NAB should submit concerns it has regarding the judicial bench in writing, Express News reported Monday.

Earlier today, NAB Chairman Fasih Bokhari had written a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, stating his reservations over the Supreme Court’s tight deadlines.

Bokhari had stated that the Supreme Court did not give sufficient time to NAB for implementation of the court's orders.

When the hearing started, NAB’s prosecutor KK Agha conveyed NAB’s concerns to the judicial bench headed by Justice Jawad S Khwaja. Agha said that NAB was not satisfied with how the bench was proceeding the case.

Justice Khwaja observed that such concerns should be submitted to the court in writing.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain observed that if the concerns were reasonable, then the bench will not contest them. He further said that the government itself gave importance to the case and constituted the commission. Justice Arif said that each member of the bench wants to unearth the facts in the case.

The court adjourned the hearing till February 1.

Faisal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at a government hostel in Islamabad, three days after the Supreme Court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in the Rental Power Projects (RPPs) case. He was part of the team investigating the case.]]>
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			<title>Suicide or murder?: New evidence suggests Faisal was taking anti-depressants</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499580/suicide-or-murder-new-evidence-suggests-faisal-was-taking-anti-depressants</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499580/suicide-or-murder-new-evidence-suggests-faisal-was-taking-anti-depressants#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 13 05:50:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499580</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police and hospital sources say NAB official was on medication for  over a decade.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Just as the Supreme Court’s special bench on Kamran Faisal’s death case prepares to resume the hearing Monday, police and staff from the Poly Clinic Hospital revealed that the officer investigating the Rental Power Projects case was in fact on medication for a psychiatric condition.

Faisal – who was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room on January 18 – was on anti-depressants and stress-reduction medication for over a decade and his family knew about his condition, revealed a doctor from the Poly Clinic Hospital.

The doctor, who requested anonymity, said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officer had been a regular visitor of the clinic’s psychiatry department since 1999 — almost seven years before even joining NAB in 2006.



“Yes, that is true. He has been a psychiatric patient since 1999,” the doctor said, adding that Faisal was a “sensitive person” and his doctor told his attendant that he could take an “extreme step” at any time in his life. However, the hospital official did not know the name of the attendant and the information could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, a secretariat police officer told The Express Tribune that Faisal’s roommate at the Federal Lodge 2 (where he was found dead), NAB Assistant Director Sajid Ahmed, has testified that his colleague used to take medication but always tried to hide it.

He told the police that he saw Faisal taking medicines to relax whenever he looked stressed. However, he never shared with his roommate any medical condition that he might have been suffering from.

Ahmed was living with Faisal in his hostel room but had gone on leave a week before his death. Upon his return last week, Sajid was questioned by the police who asked him if he noticed his roommate taking any medicines.

The police found, among other evidence recovered from crime scene, medical records from the Poly Clinic Hospital which showed that Faisal was a regular visitor of its psychiatry department.

He had a prescription for muscle relaxants and anti-depressants signed by a Dr Azra. She was a junior doctor in the psychiatry department headed by Dr Najma Aziz who has already told the police she only checked Faisal once on October 12, 2012 and recommended some tests.

The police officer said he was not certain about Faisal’s visits to the hospital since 1999 but the police have found evidence that he was on certain medication.

One of Faisal’s senior colleagues, who worked alongside him for over six months, told The Express Tribune that he never noticed any abnormal behaviour. “No, I have never come across any abnormal behaviour in him suggesting he could be a psychiatric patient,” said the NAB officer. NAB Spokesperson Zafar Iqbal was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, NAB handed over Faisal’s service record to the Secretariat Police investigating his death which was declared a suicide by the medical board.

The record includes Faisal’s work on cases that he took up since joining the bureau besides his performance in the Rental Power Projects case. “It is the usual service record that departments maintain for their officers. It was requested for record keeping,” said a police officer.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Tight SC deadlines to implement orders pressures officials: NAB chief</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499625/short-sc-deadlines-to-implement-orders-pressures-officials-nab-chief</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499625/short-sc-deadlines-to-implement-orders-pressures-officials-nab-chief#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 13 05:41:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499625</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bokhari says written orders of the court are different from the verbal orders.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a letter written to President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief Fasih Bokhari stated that the watchdog’s officials were under pressure due to  insufficient time given by the Supreme Court to implement its orders, Express News reported.

Bokhari expressed his reservations over the "character of the Supreme Court" in the letter, after one of the investigators in the Rental Power Projects case allegedly committed suicide.

According to a clinical report released on Sunday, the slain NAB investigator Kamran Faisal was a victim of depression and had committed suicide.

Admiral Bokhari said that the “written orders of the court are different from the verbal orders.”

Express News quoted sources as saying that the NAB chief also said that he will tender his resignation if the matter is not resolved.

The hearing of the case is underway at the Supreme Court.

Faisal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at a government hostel in Islamabad, three days after the Supreme Court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in the Rental Power Projects (RPPs) case. He was part of the team investigating the case.]]>
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			<title>Mysterious death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499386/mysterious-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499386/mysterious-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jan 13 17:00:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499386</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It has become impossible to know where the truth lies and how Faisal Kamran’s life ended so tragically.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The case of Kamran Faisal, found dead in his hostel room a few days ago, continues to grow more and more disturbing. Following an application filed by NAB officers, who have maintained Faisal was killed and did not commit suicide, as the police initially stated, the Islamabad Secretariat Police Station has registered a murder First Information Report in the case. Faisal’s family had rejected the suicide story as well.

There are many complications tied in to the matter, with the Supreme Court also taking notice of it. Kamran Faisal had been one of the investigating officers in the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case and his death came three days after the apex court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in it. Faisal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room. Since then, there have been claims by NAB officials of pressure put on him possibly to alter the content of the RPP report. Media accounts have also mentioned messages texted by Faisal to a friend, who could yet emerge as the key witness in the whole drama. The Supreme Court has taken suo-motu notice of the matter.



The case has assumed more and more significance, as facts come to light. There are still too many unknowns in the whole matter, and the nature of the investigation Faisal Kamran was engaged in raises suspicions of many kinds. It has become impossible to know where the truth lies and how Faisal Kamran’s life ended so tragically. It seems obvious we need a full, fair and detailed investigation. It must be carried out in a transparent fashion and by individuals who are seen as trustworthy. The Islamabad police do not quite fit this description. Everyone knows it can be manipulated and persuaded to act in a specific fashion. Given the sensitivity of this case, it is important that doubt not be allowed to linger and a definite conclusion be reached. A failure in this regard would be damaging and inflict a great deal of harm, given the gravity of the matter and the possible repercussions that arise from it, affecting both individuals and institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Kamran Faisal took anti-depressants, committed suicide: Clinical report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499374/kamran-faisal-took-anti-depressants-committed-suicide-clinical-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499374/kamran-faisal-took-anti-depressants-committed-suicide-clinical-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jan 13 14:24:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499374</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Report reveals that there were no torture marks on his body and nothing poisonous was found in his stomach.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The clinical investigation report of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officer Kamran Faisal’s death stated that he was a victim of depression and committed suicide, Express News reported on Sunday.

The report said that Faisal snapped his neck by hanging himself and his eyes were half-open at the time of his death. There were no torture marks on his body and nothing poisonous was found in his stomach either, the report added.

It further revealed that Faisal’s post mortem took place 16 hours after his death.

Faisal’s father Abdul Hameed rejected the report and said that he will not accept any report which terms his death a suicide. He termed the report “bogus”.

Faisal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at a government hostel in Islamabad, three days after the Supreme Court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in the Rental Power Projects (RPPs) case. He was part of the team investigating the case.]]>
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			<title>Kamran Faisal’s death: Police ask SC to wait for complete probe report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499235/kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-police-ask-sc-to-wait-for-complete-probe-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499235/kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-police-ask-sc-to-wait-for-complete-probe-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jan 13 06:49:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499235</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Family refuses to record statements till it sees chemical examiner’s report.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The death of a NAB official investigating the Rental Power Plants (RPP) case was ruled a suicide on Saturday – but the police asked the Supreme Court to wait for the complete investigation report.


Evidence examined thus far suggests that the NAB official, Kamran Faisal, committed suicide, said the initial police report in court. Faisal’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his official residence on January 18.

On Friday, secretariat police registered an FIR against unidentified persons on the complaint Faisal’s colleague and NAB Assistant Director Nauman Ahmed.

“The police are waiting for forensic report, chemical examiner’s report and some key statements to ascertain facts,” said a police officer, adding the probe would be incomplete till then.

Earlier, a post mortem report by a medical board ruled Faisal’s death a suicide.

“So far no evidence substantially contradicting the post mortem report could be found,” the officer said, adding that the police would wait for the complete investigation report.

A four-member police team on Saturday visited Faisal’s native town of Mian Channu to record the statements of his family, before submitting an initial inquiry report to a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Jawad S Khawaja.

Faisal’s family, including his father Abdul Hameed Chaudhry, has asked the police to wait for the chemical report after which they would record their statements.

In the initial report submitted to the court, police attached the post-mortem report, details of evidence collected from Faisal’s room, CCTV footage from nearby cameras, statements of his colleagues, friends, a Polyclinic psychiatrist and people living in Federal Lodge 2, including his roommate.

The Pakistan Telecom Authority separately submitted Faisal’s phone record, including details of text messages in court on Saturday.  The two-member Supreme Court bench will hear the case on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Kamran Faisal case: Father refuses to record statement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499041/kamran-faisal-death-father-refuses-to-record-statement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499041/kamran-faisal-death-father-refuses-to-record-statement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jan 13 11:53:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499041</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Islamabad police files report of its initial investigation into the case, quotes post-mortem report on cause of death.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Father of Kamran Faisal - National Accountability Bureau (NAB) official who was found dead in his room – refused to record his statement with Islamabad police, Express News reported on Saturday.

The father said he was not in a position to make any statement at the moment.

Faisal was a part of the team investigating the Rental Power Projects case. He was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at a government hostel in Islamabad, three days after the Supreme Court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in the RPPs case.

Faisal’s brother-in-law, while speaking to media, said his family does not expect a transparent investigation from the police and said their hopes are attached to the Supreme Court.

Police submit investigation report

Islamabad Police has submitted their initial investigation report to the Supreme Court into the death of NAB officer Kamran Faisal, Radio Pakistan reported.

The report, based on the post-mortem report, terms the officers death as a result of suicide.

The two member bench of the Supreme Court consisting of Justice Jawad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif had issued notices to Chairman and senior officials of NAB‚ IG Police Islamabad and Medical Superintendant Polyclinic Hospital Islamabad and had sought relevant records from them.

The bench would resume hearing of the case on Monday.

Earlier, the Islamabad Secretariat Police Station registered a murder First Information Report (FIR) for the death.

The FIR was registered on an application filed by NAB officers who have maintained that Faisal was killed and did not commit suicide.]]>
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			<title>Demand to remove governors before elections unlawful: Kaira</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499013/demand-to-remove-governors-before-elections-unlawful-kaira</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499013/demand-to-remove-governors-before-elections-unlawful-kaira#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 13 18:42:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499013</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Minister for information and broadcasting urges media to exercise care, investigate in reporting on sensitive issues.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a candid talk with the media on Friday, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira termed the demands by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly as unconstitutional, Radio Pakistan reported.

Kaira termed the demands of Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan to remove Governors before the elections‚ as unlawful. The information minister said that governors have no link with executive authority and that under the 18th Amendment the role of caretaker setup has been limited. The governors, Kaira said, would only run day to day affairs and help in holding of free‚ fair and transparent elections.

The minister maintained that the caretaker set up will be established in consultation with the Opposition leader. He though questioned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader that when the general elections are going to be held under a caretaker setup‚ why confusion being created.

Asked about how the caretaker set up would be formed in Balochistan‚ Kaira said that his personal opinion was that if an assembly is suspended then its authority is exercised by the National Assembly.
Irresponsible reporting

Kaira took the opportunity of Friday’s candid press briefing to put the media and reporting, especially with respect the government and prime minister under the spotlight. 

Urging the mainstream media to exercise care in reporting on sensitive issues, Kaira pointed towards instances of misreporting on important issues recently, thereby creating wrong impressions and perceptions.

Pointing towards the case of appointing Tauqir Sadiq as chairman of oil and gas regulatory authority (OGRA), Kaira said that the media had presented the news in such a manner where it seemed like Raja Pervez Ashraf had approved Sadiq for the post, which was wrong.

The information minister explained that appointment of heads of different regulatory authorities is done as per prescribed procedure. He said that procedure was also adopted during appointment of OGRA chairman, where 17 names were proposed by a committee headed by the minister of petroleum and included the secretary of petroleum‚ joint secretary of petroleum‚ private sector representative Shaukat Hayat Durrani and additional secretary establishment.

To further shorten the list, then Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who was also looking after the Ministry of Petroleum at that time, asked Raja Pervez Ashraf to head the committee. This committee short-listed four names. One of the four short listed was Tauqir Sadiq‚ which was ultimately approved by Gilani. Kaira lamented that the angle presented in some reports gave the impression that Ashraf had appointed Sadiq was factually incorrect since he was not the appointing authority at the time.

The information minister said the prime minister‚ ministers and officers of the government take numerous decisions in good faith and there is always room for a mistake but they should not be blamed for that.

Kaira, though was not yet through with his grievances over misreporting.

He continued about reporting on death of National Accountability Bureau officer Kamran Faisal. The Minister said that a six member medical board had carried out post-mortem and samples have also been sent to laboratories in Punjab for chemical examination. Further, a judicial commission consisting of a former senior judge of the Supreme Court has been set up and a two member bench of the Supreme Court is also hearing the case. In this scenario, Kaira said it would be wrong to link his death with Rental Power Project’s case.

The minister said there was also irresponsible reporting in the Baldia Town Karachi factory tragedy. He said that when the prime minister's attention was directed towards this case at a function of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry‚ the premier directed Sindh’s chief secretary to look into the matter and that relevant law should apply. This, Kaira said, had been twisted to directions to drop the charges.

The minister pointed towards the sayings and practices of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), asking media men to follow those teachings where in it asks people not to speak about things without investigation. The media trials, Kaira, can spoil image of an innocent victim.

New Punjab province

On the subject of creating a new province in Punjab, Kaira said that a commission on new provinces in Punjab has been formed as a result of unanimous resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly and its report will come shortly.

The minister though pointed out that neither the leader of the Opposition nor the Punjab Government have given the names of their representatives for the commission as yet. However, the commission is working and the leader of the opposition can still had the option to join the commission and present his point of view.]]>
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			<title>Murder FIR registered in Islamabad over Kamran Faisal’s death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499009/fir-of-kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-registered-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499009/fir-of-kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-registered-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 13 17:01:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499009</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The FIR was regist­ered under Sectio­n 302 of Pakist­an Penal Code.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Islamabad Secretariat Police Station registered a murder First Information Report (FIR) in the death of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) official Kamran Faisal, reported Express News.

The FIR was registered on an application filed by NAB officers who have maintained that Faisal – who was part of the team investigating the Rental Power Projects case – was killed and did not commit suicide.

Faisal’s initial post mortem report had declared his death to be the result of suicide. But his family members had rejected the report.

The FIR was registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) which lists punishment for murder.

Following Faisal’s death, NAB officers and employees had demanded the NAB chairman to assure an independent investigation into the case and provide adequate security to officers.

Faisal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at a government hostel in Islamabad, three days after the Supreme Court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in the RPPs case.

The Supreme Court had also taken a suo motu notice of the incident.]]>
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			<title>NAB officer’s death: Kamran Faisal’s death not ordinary says SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498916/nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death-kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-not-ordinary-says-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498916/nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death-kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-not-ordinary-says-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 13 22:08:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=498916</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC says it is important to determine if death is linked to RPPs case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court said on Thursday that evidence indicated to a link between the death of a National Accountability Bureau officer and the rental power plants (RPPs) case that the court has been hearing.


“All indications and evidences show that this unnatural death has a link with the case we were hearing. This is not an ordinary case,” said Justice Jawad S Khwaja, while heading a bench that started hearing a suo motu case regarding Kamran Faisal’s death on Thursday.

Faisal, who was an investigation officer in RPPs scandal, was found dead in his hostel room last Friday. Although an autopsy report ruled his death a suicide, the deceased’s family and colleagues disputed the findings and called for a judicial probe.

His death came just three days after the Supreme Court ordered NAB to arrest the accused in the RPPs case, including Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

During the proceedings, Justice Khawaja said it was important to determine whether there was any link between Faisal’s death and the order that the prime minister and 15 other officials be arrested.

“After the order in the RPPs case, it also becomes important for the court to ascertain if there was an attempt to interfere into the proceedings of RPP case,” he added.

The court observed that all statements revealed that Faisal was under immense pressure and added that it was the bureau’s responsibility to investigate who had been pressuring him.

If NAB is unable to protect its officials, the institution should be abolished, warned Justice Khilji Arif Hussain.



Notices issued to NAB, PTA chairmen

The court also issued notices to the NAB chairman and senior officials, as well as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman, IG Islamabad and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences medical superintendent.

The NAB chairman has been directed to submit details on his meeting with Faisal prior to his death. The court sought the script and footage of the chairman’s video conference with the bureau’s investigation officers.

It also requested the PTA to submit Faisal’s phone record and sought CCTV footage of the Federal Lodges as well as NAB’s headquarters, where Faisal was residing, as well.

Faisal’s brother-in-law Hamid Munir told the court that his family is of the view that the death was homicide, not suicide. He requested the court to seek the records of top NAB officials’ meeting with Kamran after January 15.

FIR yet to be registered

The apex court also questioned the Islamabad police over its failure to register an FIR in the case, and observed that in such cases there was no need for an applicant.

Justice Khilji remarked that NAB and police seemed to be on same page when it came to not providing justice, which, he added, was contrary to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Instead, they are busy arranging ceremonies on the eve of Eid-e-Milad, he added.

The hearing was adjourned till January 28.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the government has formed a commission to probe the NAB officer’s death, even though medical reports ruled the death a suicide. While addressing a press conference at the NADRA headquarters, Malik said the incident had jolted the entire nation and assured that the case would be probed thoroughly.

(With additional input from AFP)

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental power case: SC takes suo motu notice of officer’s death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498371/rental-power-case-sc-takes-suo-motu-notice-of-officer%e2%80%99s-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498371/rental-power-case-sc-takes-suo-motu-notice-of-officer%e2%80%99s-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 13 23:22:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=498371</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Separate bench to hear case today; court dismisses request to suspend RPPs probe.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Kamran Faisal’s death took centre stage at the hearing of the rental power plants (RPPs) case on Wednesday. The Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the death of the National Accountability bureau officer, saying it could not ignore the tragic incident.


Faisal, an investigating officer in the RPPs case, was found hanging in his hostel room last week. Initial reports ruled the death a suicide, but Faisal’s family and some colleagues cried foul, requesting a judicial inquiry into the incident.

While hearing the RPPs case on Wednesday, the apex court bench changed a note submitted by the court’s registrar regarding Faisal’s death into a petition and ordered a separate bench, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, to hear the case from Thursday (today).

“It’s hard to say whether it was Kamran Faisal’s funeral or NAB’s,” Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed remarked. He also hit out at the bureau, pointing out at the name it had earned from the tragic incident by unnecessarily delaying the implementation of court orders in the RPPs case.

During the proceedings, NAB Prosecutor General KK Agha raised objection over the registrar’s note, saying it was based on a news story. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, however, said the court could not ignore the incident, adding that the deceased’s family was not happy with NAB’s progress in the case.

Agha also requested the court to allow NAB to suspend the RPPs investigation till there was a decision in Faisal’s case, adding that investigation officers could not work in such a hostile environment.

“I have no right to sit on the seat of chief justice if I am not willing to discharge my duty under certain circumstances,” the chief justice responded, adding that NAB should continue investigating the RPPs case as well as Faisal’s death.

The apex court also rejected a petition requesting the court to stop hearing the RPPs case.

Former federal minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is also a petitioner in the RPPs case, said that Faisal was the first martyr of the RPPs case.



In its written order, the court observed, “This shocking incident of his murder/death/suicide is a sad commentary on the image of a public institution.”

“It seems that besides the colleagues of Kamran Faisal (deceased), his family members as well as the public at large have shown annoyance. According to their versions, they are not expecting an honest investigation because of the involvement of the highly influential, political persons and executive authorities of this country,” the court held in its order.

Meanwhile, at the outset of the hearing, the court did not allow the NAB chairman to address the court.

NAB officers continue protest

Demanding a fair probe, Faisal’s colleagues observed a token strike for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday.

A handful of NAB officers from Quetta and Lahore attended the Supreme Court hearing of the RPPs case on Wednesday, despite being requested not to do so by senior NAB officials during a meeting on Tuesday.

“Earlier, the number of officers who were going to the court was well above 50 but it dropped after a ‘successful’ meeting with NAB directors who warned that the bureau’s chief could resign if the officers attended the hearing,” said a NAB official.

Meanwhile, a case regarding Faisal’s death is yet to be registered. His brother-in-law Hamid Munir earlier told The Express Tribune that NAB had conveyed to them that they would file an FIR application.

However, a NAB officer ruled out any possibility that the bureau would contact the police for a case registration. “In a suicide case, the department cannot file an FIR; rather it should be state doing so.”

On the other hand, a senior police official said, “The state can become a complainant and file an FIR application only in case the deceased has no family or relatives known.”

He added that the SC bench hearing the case could direct the police to register an FIR declaring that the deceased had no known immediate family members available to do so.

With additional reporting by Umer Nangiana in Islamabad

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental power plants case: SC asked to stop NAB ‘interfering with probe’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498258/rental-power-plants-case-sc-asked-to-stop-nab-%e2%80%98interfering-with-probe%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498258/rental-power-plants-case-sc-asked-to-stop-nab-%e2%80%98interfering-with-probe%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 13 18:51:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=498258</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petitioner says NAB officials told political leaders ‘to deal with Faisal’.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[An application has been filed before the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry that seeks to restrain three officers and an additional prosecutor general of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from exercising their powers till the apex court rules on the Rental Power Projects case.


The applicant, Advocate Shahenshah Shamil Piracha, has prayed that the court stop NAB Chairman Fasih Bukhari, its Punjab Director General Khursheed Anwar Bhinder, HR &amp; Finance Director General KAusar Iqbal and a Rawalpindi Additional Prosecutor General Rana Zahid Mahmood from interfering in the investigation of the Rental Power Projects (RPPs) corruption case.

The civil miscellaneous application has been filed in an already-pending case before the Supreme Court.

The applicant has also prayed that the court allow him to become a ‘necessary party’ in the case as a public interest litigant.

The petitioner, through Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, has submitted that in the interest of justice and fair play a special public prosecutor be appointed in the above case and other cases of corruption that fall in the jurisdiction of the bureau.

The petitioner has also requested the court to issue appropriate directions to the federal government for appointing a Judicial Commission, under the chairmanship of a serving judge of the Supreme Court, as has been suggested by the father of Kamran Faisal, a NAB officer who allegedly committed suicide.



The petitioner has submitted that the RPPs case had involved corruption on a huge scale.

The public, he says, has been deprived of their money and also a necessity of life: electricity.

He alleges that “from the first day” the NAB chairman, prosecutors and other officials have tried to protect those responsible.

The petitioner has said that he wants to place “relevant record” before the court. He added that on May 26, 2011 a division bench had restrained NAB (Rawalpindi) DG – who also had the additional charge as Punjab additional director.

The petitioner has also submitted the Faisal’s death was “suspicious”.

He alleges that Faisal had refused his bosses’ request that the prime minister be declared innocent in the RPPs case.

The bureau’s top officials then told the political leaders about this and suggested that they deal with the officer on their own, says the petitioner.



The NAB chairman, says Piracha, told the SC that the references referred by the IOs had lacked evidence against the accused, including the prime minister. He adds that the chairman’s statement is contrary to the facts.

The truth would have been exposed had Faisal made it to the January 23 hearing of the case, claims the petitioner. The officer was killed so that the NAB did not have to file references against the incumbent PM and other influential accused, he alleges.

The petitioner has also accused the DG (HR) Kausar Iqbal of interfering with the investigation.

Piracha has also attached a letter issued by Iqbal with his application.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>SC changes note of Kamran Faisal's death into plea, orders separate hearing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498008/sc-changes-note-of-kamran-faisals-death-into-plea-orders-separate-hearing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498008/sc-changes-note-of-kamran-faisals-death-into-plea-orders-separate-hearing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 13 09:26:53 +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=498008</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CJ rules NAB should continue investigating rental power cases, too.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Wednesday changed a note submitted by the Registrar Office regarding NAB investigator Kamran Faisal’s death into a petition and ordered that another bench will hear the case separately from Rental Power Projects case, Express News reported.

The Supreme Court constituted a two-member bench which will be headed by Justice Jawad S Khwaja.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that the National Accountability Bureau should continue investigating the rental power cases and that Faisal's death should be investigated, too.

Earlier, NAB informed the court that there was no FIR registered for Faisal’s death, when Justice Gulzar inquired if there was a case registered.

The Supreme Court rejected a petition requesting the court to stop hearing the rental power cases.  The chief justice clearly said that the Supreme Court will not stop hearing the case.

Former housing minister Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is also a petitioner in the rental power cases, requested the court that another inquiry should be carried out, because the was important as Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was also implicated.

Faisal, who was investigating the rental power plants scam, involving the prime minister, was found hanging from the ceiling of his hostel room on Friday. Though an autopsy report ruled his death a suicide, the deceased’s family and colleagues disputed the findings and called for a judicial probe.]]>
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			<title>Rental power case: Premier Ashraf withdraws review petition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497290/rental-power-case-premier-ashraf-withdraws-review-petition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497290/rental-power-case-premier-ashraf-withdraws-review-petition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 13 04:45:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=497290</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Legal team says premier will be defended through federal govt’s review plea.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Monday withdrew his review petition against the Supreme Court verdict in the rental power projects (RPPs) case.


On January 15, the apex court had ordered the arrest of all the respondents in the case including the premier.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the petitions filed by power companies and the federal government. During Monday’s proceedings, PM Ashraf’s counsel Waseem Sajjad informed the court about his client’s decision.

Earlier, the federal government and different power companies had filed review petitions against the Supreme Court’s judgment in the RPPs case. On the request of the PM’s counsel, the court disposed of the review application. The court will now take up the RPPs implementation case on January 23.

A member of the government’s legal team said Ashraf withdrew his review petition on the grounds that he would indirectly be defended through the federal government’s review petition in the case.

However, Justice Chaudhry clarified that even though review petitions were pending against the verdict in the RPPs case, the petitions would not affect the implementation process of the judgment. The chief justice also made it clear that “though money was deposited in the national exchequer, criminal proceedings would continue against all the accused, who were allegedly involved in corruption.”

Ashraf was water and power minister in 2008. Of the 19 RPP deals signed initially, only nine were allowed to function after an unflattering Asian Development Bank evaluation report. Subsequently, six of those nine RPPs were discontinued.

During Monday proceedings, the court also issued notices to Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) on a review petition, filed by Kamoky Rental Power Plant. The counsel for Kamoky Rental Power Plant company, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, contended that his client had not received any advance payment while the company had spent Rs3 billion from its own pockets.

Last week, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman aggressively defended the bureau’s progress in the RPPs case, saying it was NAB’s prerogative to conduct an investigation and that the court had no powers to intervene in the investigation.

Pirzada also suggested the court allow functional power plants to produce electricity because it would be beneficial for the public. The court asked the Pirzada to recommend the concerned authorities in this regard since they were not running the government.

The counsel representing the federal government, Khawaja Tariq Rahim, said that the government had stopped the process of approval and execution of power projects after the court’s March 30, 2012 judgments on RPPs. He requested the court to provide the government time to consult with the concerned authorities about the Kamoky Plant.

The court adjourned the case till February 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental power case: PM, others accused off the hook — for now</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497301/rental-power-case-pm-others-accused-off-the-hook-%e2%80%94-for-now</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497301/rental-power-case-pm-others-accused-off-the-hook-%e2%80%94-for-now#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 13 22:46:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=497301</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Case to be put on hold till inquiry into Kamran Faisal’s death concludes.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The National Accountability Bureau chief said on Monday that the Rental Power Plants (RPPs) case proceedings would be put on hold until an inquiry into Kamran Faisal’s death concludes — a move that effectively renders all accused invulnerable, at least for now.


On Monday, a condolence reference was held at the NAB Headquarters for Kamran Faisal – investigation officer of the RPPs case who died under mysterious circumstances last week. Officers from NAB’s regional offices attended the reference through a video link.

Speaking on the occasion, NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari said the RPPs case proceedings would remain on hold till the conclusion of the inquiry into Faisal’s death – which police have initially ruled a suicide.

Asked about the possibility of a departmental inquiry into the case, Bokhari said the issue (of arrests of the prime minister and other accused) would be addressed after the conclusion of the judicial inquiry into Faisal’s alleged suicide.

“In the event that the inquiry is concluded unsatisfactorily, NAB can, and will, institute its own inquiry/investigation,” Bokhari was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the bureau.

He also reprimanded the bureau’s officials for leaking secret information to the media. He said NAB investigation officers were leaking sensitive and secret information to the media, according to participants of the meeting.

“Stop breaching secrecy, this is treason,” said Bokhari. The videoconference opened with a formal address of Chairman Bokhari followed by a Q&amp;A session.



During the Q&amp;A session, NAB regional officials asked various questions, including about the performance of the bureau’s senior officials. Deputy Director of the Punjab chapter of NAB Ahmad Raza went to the extent of calling the senior management of NAB “corrupt”.

As precautionary measures, the NAB chairman authorised officers working on high-profile cases like the RPP to bear firearms and “keep on changing their residence”.

He also directed Asghar Khan (investigating officer of the RPPs case) and Waqas Ahmad Khan (investigation officer of the OGRA case) to immediately shift their accommodation to some “secure/safe house(s)”.

Bokhari reiterated his resolve to protect NAB officers and said it was “his responsibility to protect NAB officers and he will do that”.

Immediate demands

Also on Monday, NAB officers observed a pen-down strike across the country, and according to a handout received by The Express Tribune, they spelled out several demands.

Rejecting the judicial commission, the protesting NAB officials called for an independent commission under the chairmanship of a serving Supreme Court judge to probe Faisal’s alleged suicide.

Secondly, they demanded Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf be arrested in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment and a joint team of NAB officials be constituted to carry out an “independent and transparent” investigation into the RPPs case.

They also demanded a 20-million-rupee compensation for Faisal’s family and Sitara-e-Imtiaz for the deceased official.

Probing Faisal’s death

On the other hand, police investigators found a Polyclinic Hospital psychiatrist’s prescription from the hostel room of Faisal, suggesting he used anti-depressants and muscle relaxants.

Policlinic Hospital officials, however, denied Faisal ever consulted psychiatrist Dr Najma Aziz whose prescription was said to be recovered from his room.

“He visited Polyclinic Hospital only once on October 12, 2012 for some blood tests and X-rays examination of his neck,” a hospital official told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

Judicial Commission

Meanwhile, the judicial commission formed by the federal government under former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Monday recorded statements of Federal Lodges 2 staff where Faisal was staying just before his death. The commission will give its report within two weeks.

 Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.]]>
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			<title>RPP case suspended pending investigation into Kamran Faisal's death: NAB</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497088/rpp-case-suspended-pending-investigation-into-kamran-faisals-death-nab</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497088/rpp-case-suspended-pending-investigation-into-kamran-faisals-death-nab#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 13 18:30:20 +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=497088</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[National Accountability Bureau chairman Fasih Bokhari if investigation is unsatisfactory, NAB will execute its own.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Fasih Bokhari said on Monday that the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case will be suspended until an independent investigation into the death of NAB official Kamran Faisal is completed, Express News reported.

If the investigation is unsatisfactory, NAB will conduct the investigation itself, Bokhari said. He added that any officer who wishes to remove himself from the case may do so.

Express News correspondent Haider Naseem reported that the only officer who had requested to be taken off the RPP case was Faisal himself.

NAB presents five demands

The employees and officers of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented five demands to authorities earlier on Monday after their fellow officer Faisal was ‘mysteriously’ found dead, reported Express News.

The employees demanded that a Supreme Court judge should inquire into the death of Faisal, who was investigating the Rental Power Projects case involving Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Faisal’s post mortem report had declared the death a suicide but his family refused to accept the report, insisting it was murder.]]>
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			<title>Kamran Faisal’s death: NAB employees present five demands</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496956/kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-nab-employees-present-five-demands</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496956/kamran-faisal%e2%80%99s-death-nab-employees-present-five-demands#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 13 11:36:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496956</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Officers call for SC judge to inquire into death, request permission to carry weapons for their safety.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The employees and officers of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented five demands to authorities on Monday after their fellow officer Kamran Faisal was ‘mysteriously’ found dead, reported Express News.

The employees demanded that a Supreme Court judge should inquire into the death of Faisal, who was investigating the Rental Power Projects case involving Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Faisal’s post mortem report had declared the death a suicide but his family refused to accept the report, insisting it was murder.

NAB employees called for the NAB chairman to nominate an officer who would file an FIR against Faisal’s death and would get the case investigated.

The second demand called for the NAB chairman to implement the Supreme Court June 15 orders in the RPPs case.

The employees also demanded that Faisal be awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and his family should be given Rs20 million in compensation.

The NAB chairman was also requested to immediately fire all temporary employees to ensure transparent and independent investigation into the case. The officers condemned the alleged media campaign against the Supreme Court claiming that it makes the employees think that they are above the law and the apex court can be pressurised.

Lastly, the NAB employees demanded security for all officers and said that they should be given a uniform and permission to carry weapons for their protection.]]>
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			<title>Rental Power Projects case: PM Ashraf withdraws review plea</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496954/rental-power-projects-case-pm-ashraf-withdraws-review-plea</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496954/rental-power-projects-case-pm-ashraf-withdraws-review-plea#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 13 11:31:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496954</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Apex court had ordered premier's arrest along with other respondents in the case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf withdrew his review plea against the court verdict on the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case, Express News reported on Monday.

During today’s hearing in the apex court, Ashraf’s counsel Waseem Sajjad informed the court about his client’s decision.

Earlier on January 15, the SC had ordered the arrest of all the respondents in the case including the premier.

Case background

In early 2012, the court directed the National Accountability Bureau to proceed against all government functionaries involved, including the ministers for water and power during whose tenure the RPPs were approved or set up, and the minister and finance secretary holding charge when down payment for RPPs was increased from 7% to 14%.

Ashraf was water and power ministers in 2008.

Of the 19 RPP deals signed initially, only nine were allowed to function after a damning Asian Development Bank evaluation report. Subsequently, six of those nine RPPs were discontinued.]]>
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			<title>RPPs case: Judicial panel to probe NAB officer’s death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496842/rpps-case-judicial-panel-to-probe-nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496842/rpps-case-judicial-panel-to-probe-nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jan 13 22:47:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496842</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police summon four NAB officials for questioning, including  deceased officer’s supervisor.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The federal government formed a judicial commission on Sunday to probe the death of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigator who allegedly committed suicide last week.


On Friday, NAB Assistant Director Kamran Faisal was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room in the Federal Lodges.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior in this regard on Sunday, the commission will be headed by Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. The notification adds that Justice Iqbal will select two officers to be part of the commission later. The officers will be of grade-20 or above. The commission will present its report within two weeks.

Meanwhile, seeking answers to the unclear circumstances surrounding Faisal’s death, police summoned four of his NAB colleagues to record their statements. NAB Assistant Director Asghar Khan, Faisal’s supervisor and a fellow investigator in the rental power projects (RPPs) case, was among those asked to appear before Secretariat Police. Apart from Asghar, data entry operators Momin Khan and Sohaib Ahmed, and naib qasid Muhammad Najeeb were summoned for questioning. Under section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, police are empowered to hold inquests to ascertain facts related to the cause of death in a suspected suicide case.

“The facts ascertained from questioning may lead to the registration of an FIR if police find enough grounds for suspicion that a criminal act caused his (Faisal’s) death,” a senior police officer told The Express Tribune. Alternatively, the request for registering a criminal case would have to come from his family, he said, adding, “They still haven’t contacted the police.”



During initial investigations, police seized Faisal’s phone and desktop computer to secure any data that could provide possible leads in the case.

Vague circumstances

Several unanswered questions prompted police to probe Faisal’s death, which had been ruled a suicide by a five-member medical board: Who discovered the body first? Why did NAB officials break into Faisal’s room before police reached the crime scene? If it indeed was a suicide, what drove him to it?

“NAB officials made a blunder by breaking into his room and discovering the body without waiting for police to arrive,” said a police officer investigating the case.

According to a NAB official, speaking to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity, it was ‘strange’ how news of Faisal’s death was circulating in the bureau’s offices even before police recovered the body and the media reported the incident.

Medical report

Quoting one of the members of the medical board that examined Faisal’s body, an officer of the law told The Express Tribune that all elements required to rule the death a suicide were found during examination.

“His neck bone was broken, there were signs of strangulation, rope marks were found on his neck… there were no bruises, no marks of torture on his body and his tongue was found tightly locked between his teeth,” he said.

However, in their final remarks in the medical report – a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune – the five-member board maintained the death was caused by ‘strangulation, which was most probably suicidal in nature’. Further confirmation would be done after receiving the chemical examiner’s report, they added.

NAB speaks

NAB spokesperson Zafar Iqbal Khan released an official statement on Sunday, clarifying certain facts reported by a section of the media which he claimed were untrue.

“Asghar Khan was the main investigating officer in the case, while Kamran Faisal was assisting him. At every stage of investigation, reports were signed by Asghar, not Faisal… Had the chairman or any other senior officer wanted to modify the report in any way, they would have contacted Asghar and not Faisal,” maintained Zafar.

He said it was possible that Faisal was under pressure since he requested both NAB and the Supreme Court (SC) to take him off the RPPs case. The NAB spokesperson’s statement added that the NAB Rawalpindi director general, in a letter dated January 7, 2013, recommended Faisal be detached from the case.

“The letter mentioned that Faisal was experiencing mental stress and psychological trouble. His detachment was approved by the NAB chairman the same day, but the SC ordered his reinstatement,” he claimed.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Act of solidarity: NAB staff announce countrywide strike</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496836/act-of-solidarity-nab-staff-announce-countrywide-strike</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496836/act-of-solidarity-nab-staff-announce-countrywide-strike#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jan 13 22:28:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496836</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Officers resolved to appear before the SC hearing on January 23 to submit all information sought by Chief justice.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[National Accountability Bureau (NAB) workers will begin a pen-down strike across the country from Monday onwards in protest over the mysterious death of their colleague Kamran Faisal, The Express Tribune has learnt.


In a meeting at the bureau’s Rawalpindi office on Sunday, more than 30 officers, ranging from the rank of assistant director (AD) to director general (DG) said the strike would continue until NAB implemented the Supreme Court’s (SC) January 15 order, which
called for the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others accused in the rental power case.

The officers also resolved to appear before the SC hearing on January 23 to submit all information sought by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

The meeting was presided over by newly reinstated NAB Rawalpindi DG Col (retd) Subeh Sadiq. Sadiq, who had been sent on forced leave, was reinstated following an SC order so that he could appear before the court on January 23.

In a text conversation with The Express Tribune, the NAB officers claimed that Faisal was murdered, probably by those involved in the rental power plants (RPPs) scandal.

They maintained that his (Kamran’s) “room had an auto-locking mechanism; the lights were switched off as well… His feet still touched the table, the loop around his neck was loose…  He never used any medication for depression and he had sound faith in Allah… He was against suicide”.

The officers said they would not rest until all culprits were behind bars, adding that the strike would continue until the NAB chairman issued warrants for arresting the accused in the RPPs case.  They also rejected the newly constituted judicial commission, asking that it either be headed by Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman Ramday instead of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal or the Federal Investigation Agency DG form a joint investigation team to probe the case.

NAB spokesperson Zafar Iqbal Khan said a pen-down strike was not the best way to register a protest.

“The entire bureau is traumatised by Faisal’s untimely death,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. Zafar added that NAB had no objection to any independent inquiry into the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Autopsy report: NAB officer’s death ruled a suicide as family cries foul</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496477/autopsy-report-nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death-ruled-a-suicide-as-family-cries-foul</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496477/autopsy-report-nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death-ruled-a-suicide-as-family-cries-foul#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jan 13 05:29:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496477</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Medical board’s findings deal a blow to the deceased family’s demands for a judicial inquiry.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The death of a case officer investigating a business scandal involving the prime minister has officially been ruled a suicide – nearly drowning out the deceased’s family’s appeal for a judicial inquiry into what they allege is a case of torture and murder.


National Accountability Bureau (NAB) official Kamran Faisal – who was looking into alleged kickbacks by the premier in transactions involving rental power plants – was found hanging from the ceiling of a government hostel room on Friday.

His death came 24 hours after the NAB chief told the Supreme Court that it did not have enough evidence to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, as directed by the court last week.

A five-member medical board, which conducted the autopsy, and the Secretariat police said that the NAB officer’s death was an apparent case of suicide and refuted claims that any torture marks were found on his body. The medical examiners unanimously agreed that Faisal was “strangled to death” and the police said they had so far not found circumstantial evidence to suspect otherwise.

The NAB assistant director’s burial took place in his native town of Mian Channu on Saturday, where his father Abdul Hameed held out his son’s wrists before television cameras to show what he said were “marks of ropes”. “Who commits suicide with his hands tied?” asked Hameed.

Faisal’s father insisted that his son was a man of strong nerves and would never take his own life. He demanded a criminal investigation into the incident.

“Why does he (Hameed) not approach the police and record his statement for a formal inquiry?” said a police officer, adding that they were waiting for the chemical examiner’s report before beginning a probe into the circumstances that might have pushed Faisal to kill himself. The report is likely to be finalised in a week as samples taken from Faisal’s body were sent to the laboratory on Friday.

Doctors remain mum

When contacted, none of the doctors on the examination board were willing to divulge details of the autopsy. “I have much to tell but I am sorry I cannot tell anything,” said one of the doctors, fearing that his phone might be tapped. He denied a one-on-one meeting, while other doctors refused outright to attend calls or reply to text messages.

However, a senior police official said the marks on Faisal’s body and wrists, as spotted by his family, could have been caused by the hard surface upon which the doctors place his body for autopsy, which lasted over two hours.

“The police would go by the doctors’ report until the officer’s father formally challenges the medical report,” the officer added.



According to the police, Faisal’s phone records showed he had last called his wife. They said none of his activities, from calling his wife to what he ate the night before his death, pointed to any criminal activity.

“The media is creating hype [over the death]. I urge Faisal’s family to come forward and remove all suspicions through a legal process,” said the police officer.

However, some circumstantial evidence did, in fact, raise suspicions over Faisal’s death. The police examining the crime scene said that the door of Faisal’s room was open when the first police officer arrived. One of the investigation officers, however, said there was nothing suspicious about the door being open. “The body could only be discovered after opening the door, which was not locked from inside,” he said.

Judicial inquiry

Faisal’s family urged the chief justice to take suo motu notice of what they claim was his murder.

During the funeral prayers, Faisal’s uncle Muhammad Iqbal victim told The Express Tribune that they would approach the Supreme Court for justice.

He further said that he had noticed torture marks on Faisal’s body during the ritual bath before burial.

Faisal’s sudden death has caused concern among his colleagues as well, who also demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) to initiate a judicial inquiry. On the DC’s directions, Assistant Commissioner Nauman Yousuf visited the crime scene to collect evidence and record statements of Faisal’s neighbours.  However, he did not make any of his observations public. (With additional reporting by Owais Jafri in Multan)


Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Murderous twist</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496284/murderous-twist</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496284/murderous-twist#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jan 13 19:25:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496284</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[There can be little doubt Kamran Faisal must have been under a fair degree of pressure, as are many NAB officials.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The mysterious death of NAB assistant director Kamran Faisal has added a new dimension to the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case, involving Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Connections between the events are immediately being drawn, though things as yet are far from clear. Faisal, an investigator in the RPP case, and according to some accounts, the author of the main report in it, was found on January 18 hanging from a ceiling fan at his allotted residence in the Federal Lodge in Islamabad. The police, including the Inspector General Islamabad, have stated that the death appeared to be a case of suicide, with the single door to the room locked from the inside. However the family of the officer, including his father, has immediately raised doubts over the suicide story, holding that Faisal, the father of two children, was murdered.

An autopsy has been ordered, and while its initial report has termed Faisal’s death a suicide, the whole matter remains bizarre and rather troubling. It also remains to be seen what action, if any, the Supreme Court — which is now due to take up the RPP case on January 23, after rejecting the NAB report submitted to it as ‘unsatisfactory’ — will take over the matter.

There can be little doubt that Kamran Faisal must have been under a fair degree of pressure, as are many NAB officials. However, he had a fair amount of experience, having joined the force in 2006, and it is not known what kind of turmoil he may have been facing. Right now, there are simply too many variables. All we have is mere conjecture, and this too is not healthy. Given the nature of the case and the delicacy of the RPP issue, it is important we get to the bottom of the matter. Otherwise speculation will continue, adding not only to the complications in this case but to the troubled political scenario as a whole, at a time when too many doubts waft through the air keeping us all bound in an unsettling net of uncertainty.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>The falling sky</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496290/the-falling-sky</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496290/the-falling-sky#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jan 13 18:30:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saroop.ijaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496290</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It could just be a coincidence on the timing. However, given our history there are very poor betting odds for that.]]>
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				<![CDATA[When the Supreme Court was hearing the case of Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo’s assembly’s dissolution by Ziaul Haq, the Court agreed with the fact that the assembly was dissolved unconstitutionally. Yet, the Court thought as the election schedule had been announced; hence notwithstanding the illegality of the dissolution the assembly should not be restored. Nasim Hasan Shah giving reasons observed, “…because justice should be done, in such a manner that the heavens should not fall”. This points to two things; firstly, that the slightly clichéd phrase “Fiat justitia, ruat coelum” (Let justice be done though the heavens fall) in different forms has remained a favourite of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Secondly, the Court has retained its exquisite sense of timing. The Court ordered the arrest of the prime minister (PM) at a time when Islamabad was held hostage by a demagogue. My Lord also repeated his commitment to doing justice even “though the heaven fall”. My Lord, the Chief Justice of Pakistan has never made any secret of his fondness of breaking news television. The bulk of the suo-motu cases come from news headlines. Hence, it is unlikely that he was unaware of the presence of His grace in the Blue Area. In any event, the Long March was physically close enough to My Lord so as to make him notice.

Timing, they say, is everything. Let us be clear, My Lord is entitled to pass the order at any time he deems fit. It could just be a coincidence. However, given our history there are very poor betting odds for that. In all likelihood there are two possible explanations. The first is cynical that God forbid it was pre-planned, a conspiracy to undermine democracy. The second is hardly more generous, that My Lords just do not care. For the moment, let us keep the abysmal performance of the present federal and provincial governments aside. With the utmost of deference, it is obvious that My Lords are not great admirers of this democratic government. One can live with that. More disturbing is the thought that My Lords do not particularly like democracy. The cynic might say that there is some evidence of that. The tone and patience of the Court shows a marked difference in dealing with the ‘bloody civilians’ when compared to ‘the gentleman officers’. The civilian rulers are not to be trusted; they are incompetent, corrupt, power hungry, etc. Though it may be substantially true, it does sound discomfortingly familiar, does it not.

One prime minister was sent home by the Court, another one might be on his way to prison. The Court arguably is vested with the power to order both. However, it would have been more convincing had a similar line be adopted with the IG FC in the Balochistan proceedings, who consistently flouted Court directions to appear in Court. No arrests ordered in the ‘missing persons’ case. Similarly the ‘Sipah-e-Salaar’ has always been referred to with ‘respect’, even when he refused to appear before the Memo Commission, etc. The Asghar Khan case was a welcome yet brief change of pace. The suo-motu notices of the speeches and press conferences of the politicians would have had more weight had the same robust, muscular and fearless approach been adopted to some other public speeches, for example leaders of banned outfits addressing public gatherings openly inciting people to violence (This in no way absolves the federal and provincial governments of their failures).

Far be it from me to attribute any ill-intent to the Court; they really believe themselves to be our saviours and are well meaning for the most part. At some level, it is befitting that the order to arrest the PM was announced in the middle of the Shaykhul Islam’s rally and gave it new fire. In spite of different coloured gowns, My Lord and His grace have a few things in common. They both claim to represent the people of Pakistan. Both of them cite long marches (albeit different ones) to substantiate their claim. They also share a disdain of the electoral process to quantify the level of support. They both have nothing but contempt for the ‘crooks’ in parliament (Although, His grace might have had some change of heart recently). Curiously both feel the need to repeat often their resolve to be the first line of defense against ‘undemocratic’ attacks; the test is still to come. They both have the desire to be popular and at the centre stage. At the risk of generalising, both of them have a similar constituency or support base, largely disgruntled urban middle class (with genuine grievances and looking for hope). Hence suo motu for CNG but not for the Hazara killings in Quetta, Babar Awan but not Malik Ishaq, Katrina Kaif advertisement but not SSP spokespersons on primetime, prime minister but not other higher-ups, etc, etc.

In any event, the heavens did not fall, at least not yet. One needs to tip one’s hat to Mr Imran Khan, Mian Nawaz Sharif and all the democratic forces in Pakistan for their refusal to become part of any intrigue. Bravo sirs. This is maturity and progress. Yet along with this small dose of optimism comes terrifying news. A Supreme Court bench has admitted a petition over alleged blasphemy against the courageous ambassador, Ms Sherry Rehman, and has directed the police, “to take action in accordance with law”. This does not necessarily mean the registration of a criminal case, although the standard practice suggests a case is normally registered. Legal technicalities aside, this is serious and reckless. Ms Rehman is one of the best that we have got. My Lords are expected to know the implications of even entertaining a ridiculous petition like this, the implications of even an allegation. Hate and venom should not be given space in the Supreme Court. The Court is not under obligation to admit all petitions for hearing and not every nut job has to be indulged. My Lords, if and when heavens fall, they will destroy everything and everyone underneath; everyone.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Post mortem report: NAB officer’s death termed ‘suicide’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496194/post-mortem-report-nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death-termed-%e2%80%98suicide%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496194/post-mortem-report-nab-officer%e2%80%99s-death-termed-%e2%80%98suicide%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jan 13 08:39:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496194</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Final forensic report will be compiled in one week, doctors say there were no torture marks on Faisal's body.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The initial post mortem report of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officer Kamran Faisal termed his death a ‘suicide’, reported Express News on Saturday.

A five-panel team of doctors said that the death was a suicide because no resistance or torture marks were found on his body. The team has sent samples to the forensic lab for further investigations.

The final forensic report of the death will be compiled in one week, which will reveal whether Faisal took any anti-depressants pills that led to his suicide.

Faisal’s family has rejected the report insisting that he was murdered and he had torture marks on his body.

Faisal, who held the position of assistant director at the bureau, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at the federal lodge number 2 on Friday. He was one of the officers looking into alleged kickbacks by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in transactions involving rental power plants when he was power minister.]]>
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			<title>Violation of oath: Supreme Court asked to disqualify PM from assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495972/violation-of-oath-supreme-court-asked-to-disqualify-pm-from-assembly</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495972/violation-of-oath-supreme-court-asked-to-disqualify-pm-from-assembly#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jan 13 02:32:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=495972</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petitioner claims contrary to his pledge, PM violated article 63(1)(g) of Constitution via involvement in RPP scam.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Lawyer Dr Imran Liaquat Hussain has asked the Supreme Court to declare Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf disqualified from membership of the National Assembly due to his alleged involvement in the rental power plants scam.


Hussain filed his petition with the SC Karachi registry on Thursday. He said that the prime minister while taking oath as member of the assembly had pledged to safeguard the solemnity of the country.

Contrary to his pledge, he violated the article 63(1)(g) of the constitution through his involvement in the rental power plants scam. Thus, he is no more a member of the national assembly, he added.

The petitioner cited that earlier the apex court had also declared former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani as disqualified from holding a seat in the parliament under the article 63(1)(g) in NRO implementation case on June 19, 2012. “Arrest or conviction is not necessary for disqualification,” he argued.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Rental power case: An improbable suicide</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496099/rental-power-case-an-improbable-suicide</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496099/rental-power-case-an-improbable-suicide#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 13 22:33:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.nangiana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496099</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kamran Faisal was one of the officers looking into alleged kickbacks by the premier in transactions involving RPPs.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The corruption scandal involving Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf took a tragic turn on Friday when an officer  investigating the high-profile case was found dead at a hostel in the federal capital.


A day after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief told the Supreme Court he did not yet have enough evidence to move against the prime minister and 15 others on accusations of graft, Faisal – one of the officers looking into alleged kickbacks by the premier in transactions involving rental power plants when he was power minister – was found dead in a government hostel where he lived with other NAB colleagues.

Faisal, who held the position of assistant director at the bureau, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room at the federal lodge number 2.

Initial investigations indicated Faisal committed suicide, said Secretariat police. However, the officer’s family and friends insist that Faisal was not a man of “weak nerves”.

“Routine pressure and stresses are part of a NAB investigator’s daily life,” said a senior NAB officer, requesting anonymity, who said he had been working with Faisal for more than six months.

“He must have been under immense pressure if he has actually committed suicide. He was a strong man as I know him,” said the NAB officer.

Islamabad police officials say they found no evidence of a forced entry or signs of resistance in Faisal’s room. “It was locked from inside. The body was hanging from the ceiling fan. Besides, there was no other possible exit from the room,” said a senior police officer, who claimed that law enforcers had investigated the crime scene thoroughly before sealing it.

Inspector General of Police in Islamabad Bani Amin told reporters that the crime scene indicated that Faisal had committed suicide, while confirming that the body had been found.

“We are investigating [the case] from different angles... We will establish an opinion after the autopsy,” he said.

There were some contradictions when police officials were asked about how they were informed about Faisal’s death. The police claimed they were informed by NAB authorities who, on the contrary, said they were informed by the police.

However, the locked room was opened in the presence of Station House Officer (SHO) Secretariat police. Faisal’s body was then taken to Poly Clinic hospital, where a six-member board of doctors headed by Dr Iftikhar Ahmed Naru conducted an autopsy on it. The officer’s family did not want to conduct a post-mortem on the body but the police insisted, said a police official.



“It was a requirement in this case as the incident has to be probed,” he said.

Untimely death

Faisal, who leaves behind a widow and two daughters, was dispatched to his native town of Mian Channu for burial.

“The chairman and all NAB officers express their deepest condolences on the tragic demise of Kamran to his family,” said a statement released by a NAB spokesperson.

However, the timing of Faisal’s death raised many eyebrows in NAB and the legal fraternity – who questioned the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

“We were together the previous evening and I noticed no signs of stress on Faisal. He was in his usual mood,” said an officer, who has been working alongside Faisal in the PM’s case.

“We ate together at the hostel. I did not notice any unusual about his behaviour,” said another NAB officer, who lived in the same government hostel.

Earlier, the Supreme Court bench hearing the rental power case was irked by the transfer of Faisal and another officer under the pretext of the “court’s displeasure”. In its January 15 order, the SC observed that the court never expressed displeasure over Faisal’s performance at any stage during the hearing of the RPPs case.

The court also observed that NAB failed to present any evidence that the court had made any such observation on Faisal’s performance.

“We issue notice to Chairman NAB to explain as to why he has falsely used the name of the SC with the view to remove the IOs (Investigations Officers) Asghar Ali and Kamran Faisal,” the court said in its judgment.

Faisal was one of the eight NAB officials, including the chairman of the bureau, who were issued contempt notices by the SC for non compliance of the judgment on the RPPs case. “But this contempt notice could not have led to committing suicide. The matter was solved,” said a NAB colleague of the deceased officer.

Meanwhile, police said they would lodge investigations into the incident after receiving a complete autopsy, including a chemical examination report.

“It will take a week or so and before this police cannot proceed with investigations,” said a police officer, adding that a case would only be registered after finding substantial evidence of Faisal’s death resulting from a criminal act.

Faisal’s uncle, Dr Tariq, quoted his father Chaudhry Abdul Hameed as saying that as Faisal was a man of steely nerves, he could not have committed suicide. Be that as it may, police officials said no family member or friend of Faisal’s had reported any threats to his life.

Faisal joined NAB in 2006 and served in Quetta till May 2011. After this, he opted to join the Federal Investigation Agency. However, he returned to NAB in May 2012, where he continued to serve until his death.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>NAB officer investigating Rental Power case found dead</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495745/nab-officer-investigating-rental-power-case-commits-suicide-reports</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495745/nab-officer-investigating-rental-power-case-commits-suicide-reports#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 13 07:35:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=495745</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Deceased allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to the ceiling fan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A member of National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) investigative team inspecting the Rental Power Plants (RPP) cases was found dead in his room on Friday, sources familiar with the development told The Express Tribune.

Investigative officer, Kamran Faisal, was residing in room no. 1 of Federal Lodges in Islamabad.

The deceased, assistant Director of NAB’s Rawalpindi chapter, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself to the ceiling fan.

Immediately after the incident took place, NAB Chairman Fasih Bokhari, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Bani Amin and other officials of NAB and police reached the Federal Lodges and declared it to be a case of suicide, based on initial investigations.

However, the real facts can only be unearthed after postmortem is done and medical report is issued.

Faisal was a father of three, including a daughter. He belonged to Mian Channu in Punjab.

He had assisted Deputy Director of NAB’s Rawalpindi chapter, Asghar Khan, in the inquest of RPP case.

Sources said that Faisal was under pressure for some weeks because he and Khan had been suspended by the NAB when they forwarded the investigation report through Director General NAB Rawalpindi Col (retd) Subah Sadiq.

The report was sent for approval from Bokhari for filing references against Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and 15 others named in the investigation before the Accountability Court in Rawalpindi.

The NAB had also suspended Sadiq and attached him with NAB Headquarters in Islamabad. Sadiq has been replaced by DG NAB Lahore Khursheed Anwar Bhinder.

The officials had been removed from the investigation of the RPP cases by Bokhari, saying that the Supreme Court of Pakistan was happy with their performance in the case.

More than 20 officials of NAB from Punjab while talking to The Express Tribune alleged that it was murder which was being framed as suicide, because the roof window of Faisal’s room was ajar when the police went there for investigation.

Case background

Earlier last year, the court directed NAB  to proceed against all government functionaries involved, including the ministers for water and power during whose tenure the RPP were approved or set up, and the minister and finance secretary holding charge when down payment for RPP was increased from 7% to 14%.

Liaquat Jatoi and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf were water and power ministers in 2006 and 2008, respectively, while Shaukat Tareen was the finance minister in 2008, when down payment was increased.

Of the 19 RPP deals signed initially, only nine were allowed to function after a damning Asian Development Bank evaluation report. Subsequently, six of those nine RPP were discontinued.]]>
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			<title>Rental power case: NAB refusal to arrest premier irks court</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495657/rental-power-case-nab-refusal-to-arrest-premier-irks-court</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495657/rental-power-case-nab-refusal-to-arrest-premier-irks-court#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 13 00:16:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=495657</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bureau chief cites lack of evidence against the accused.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appears to be safe – at least for the time being. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman refused to comply with Supreme Court (SC) orders for the premier’s arrest on Thursday, citing a lack of evidence against the accused in the rental power plants (RPPs) case.


On Tuesday, the SC issued arrest orders for Prime Minister Ashraf and 15 others accused in the RPPs case after reviewing two investigation reports submitted by NAB. The apex court bench had given the bureau 24 hours to comply with its orders to arrest the accused and file a reference before the Rawalpindi Accountability Court.

But in his reply before the SC on Thursday, NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari termed the two reports examined by the bench ‘inaccurate’ and claimed they lacked the facts needed to proceed against the accused. Adopting an aggressive posture, he also questioned the SC’s intervention in the case.

The NAB chairman lectured the bench regarding the apex court’s limited powers and jurisdiction in the matter, saying, “The Supreme Court is a constitutional court… it cannot, as such, monitor and examine an ongoing investigation, which falls under the jurisdiction of a trial court.”



NAB Prosecutor General KK Agha maintained the SC was overstepping its jurisdiction as well, saying that it cannot review the anti-graft body’s record in the case.

In response to the assertions by the officials, the Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry-led bench observed that the Constitution gave supervisory powers to the SC in a matter of adjudication.

“Our mandate is to ensure the judgment is implemented. We have based the entire judgment on documentary evidence,” the CJ hit back.

“There might be some who consider themselves above the law, but let me tell you no one is above the law. Why is your machinery not moving against the persons concerned, what is the hurdle here?” he asked the NAB officials.



“I have an independent prosecution team and I do not like to intervene in their tasks,” maintained the NAB chairman. “I am cooperating fully… let me assure you there is no influence being exerted on the investigation team,” he added.

However, the bench observed that instead of observing the court orders in the matter by initiating action against the culprits, NAB has given them a clean chit.

Rejecting the NAB chairman’s reply as unsatisfactory, the bench directed the officials to submit a comprehensive report regarding RPPs case investigations before the court on January 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>PM arrest orders: NAB terms its own report 'inaccurate'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495289/rpps-case-%e2%80%98report-on-which-sc-gave-pm-arrest-orders-is-faulty%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495289/rpps-case-%e2%80%98report-on-which-sc-gave-pm-arrest-orders-is-faulty%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 13 05:51:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=495289</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Fasih Bokhari says the reports were compiled in a hurry, they do not have complete record of the case.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Fasih Bokhari declared the investigation report earlier submitted to the Supreme Court in the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case as inaccurate, reported Express News on Thursday.

The court had ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf after reviewing the two investigation reports submitted by NAB. But, during today’s hearing, NAB chairman claimed that the reports did not have the complete record of the case.

Bokhari also said that the investigation officers had worked in a hurry and did not provide proofs in their reports.

Bokhari told Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that the investigations into the 2010 power projects were not ready, saying it takes time to find evidence to prosecute those allegedly involved.

The chief justice dismissed NAB’s report as unsatisfactory and ordered Bokhari to report back 15 minutes later with the case files so that the court could itself point out evidence that could form the basis of a prosecution.

In March 2012, the court ordered legal proceedings against PM Ashraf, who at the time was a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari and was water and power minister at the time the power projects were set up.

But on Thursday, a defiant NAB told the Supreme Court it was a constitutional court and therefore was not able to investigate the case.

"Our mandate is to ensure the judgment is implemented. We have based the entire judgment on documentary evidence," hit back Chaudhry.

"There may be some persons who consider themselves to be above the law. I want to tell you no-one is above law. Why your machinery is not moving against the persons concerned, what is the hurdle?" he added.

NAB refuses to arrest PM

NAB chairman Bokhari on Thursday rejected a Supreme Court order to arrest the prime minister, television channels reported, providing some relief to a government gripped by political turmoil.

On Tuesday, the court ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in connection with alleged kickbacks in transactions involving rental power plants when he served as power minister.

The hearing was adjourned till January 23.]]>
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			<title>Rental power projects case: Will hear case even if sky falls down, says CJ</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495170/rental-power-projects-case-will-hear-case-even-if-sky-falls-down-says-cj</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495170/rental-power-projects-case-will-hear-case-even-if-sky-falls-down-says-cj#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 13 05:15:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azam.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=495170</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[NAB to present progress report in arresting PM Ashraf today.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court on Thursday (today) will hear from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) the progress made for the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf over corruption allegations in the rental power projects (RPP) case.


Addressing the former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Yasin Azad – who appeared before the court in a human rights case – Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday said that “dhols” were beating outside the court to force it into not hearing the RPPs case. But, the chief justice said, that he will hear the case “even if the sky falls down.”

The apex court issued a written order on Tuesday for the arrest of Premier Ashraf, along with 15 other accused over the allegations. The deadline to arrest them expired on Wednesday and NAB is supposed to submit a final report in this regard to the apex court today.

The case also took a new turn when Chief Justice Chaudhry, heading a three-judge bench, took notice of some remarks by federal ministers over the apex court’s written order for PM Ashraf’s arrest.

He also criticised the ministers for giving their opinions on the case without knowing the details.

Advocate Salman Akram Raja argued that the Supreme Court had conducted lengthy hearings into the RPPs case and NAB had limited options to not prosecute the accused, including Premier Ashraf. He claimed that NAB had no right to sideline the final and conclusive judgment of the apex court. “If someone is innocent in the case, he must prove it before the courts,” Raja added.

NAB Prosecutor General KK Agha told The Express Tribune a few days back that it was not necessary to arrest the accused in the case because the National Accountability Ordinance gave plea bargain powers to the country’s top anti-corruption body. However, Raja ruled out
the possibility of a plea bargain option in this case, arguing that Premier Ashraf never became a part of this process.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013. ]]>
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			<title>Dhols are beating outside to stop SC from hearing RPP case: CJ</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/494789/dhols-are-beating-outside-to-stop-sc-from-hearing-rpp-case-cj</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/494789/dhols-are-beating-outside-to-stop-sc-from-hearing-rpp-case-cj#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 13 09:43:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=494789</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Chief justice vows to hear the case 'even if the sky falls down'.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that “dhols” were beating outside the Supreme Court to force it into not hearing the Rental Power Projects case, reported Express News on Wednesday.

But, the chief justice said, that he will hear the case “even if the sky fall downs”.

The chief justice said that the judges have taken an oath of providing justice and will pass a verdict in the case in accordance with the law and Constitution.

He also criticised federal ministers for giving out opinions on the case without knowing the details.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the case on Tuesday. The orders, which were given while Dr Tahirul Qadri’s long march was underway in Islamabad, caused uproar across the country.

The Karachi Stock market 100-index had crashed by more than 500 points, while riots were also reported across the city.

Some legal experts have maintained that the prime minister can perform his duties as the chief executive of the country even from the confines of a prison cell.

The deadline for authorities to arrest the prime minister, along with 16 other respondents in the case, ends today.]]>
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			<title>Resignation buzz: NAB chief rumour spins out of control</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/494638/resignation-buzz-nab-chief-rumour-spins-out-of-control</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/494638/resignation-buzz-nab-chief-rumour-spins-out-of-control#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 13 06:59:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=494638</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Authorities to take action against ‘a fake Bokhari’.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Moments after orders for the premier’s arrest were announced, BBC Urdu reported that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Fasih Bokhari had resigned in light of the events that had transpired.


When BBC Urdu attempted to contact the NAB chief, an imposter allegedly confirmed that he was Bokhari and confirmed reports of his resignation. As the news appeared on the BBC Urdu news website, the NAB spokesperson as well as the personal assistant to the chairman clarified the situation, saying action had been initiated against the individual impersonating Bokhari.

The chairman’s personal assistant, Zaheer, told BBC that legal action would be taken against the individual, while NAB spokesperson Zafar Iqbal also refuted the news earlier in the day.



“By some error, BBC reported that Chairman NAB has resigned; which is untrue. Chairman NAB has repeatedly stated that he will not resign; that he has a mission to work for the poor people of Pakistan, which he will complete and will not resign. This erroneous news has been picked up by numerous local channels; but it is, nonetheless, untrue,” said a statement issued by the spokesperson.

Former media adviser to the NAB chief, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, claimed the timing of the court’s decision in the rental power projects case sparked suspicions that Bokhari had resigned.

Siddiqa said that since the investigation has not concluded, responsibility should not be fixed on any accused yet, including the prime minister. She added that NAB lacks the technical facilities to collect forensic evidence, causing a delay in tracking the imposter.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2013. ]]>
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