Pakistan

Govt refuses to appoint Khosa in Harris Steel Mills case

Express June 11, 2010

The Supreme Court (SC) resumed hearing of the Harris Steel Mills case on Friday.

The government has turned down the recommendation of the Supreme Court to appoint former DG FIA Tariq Khosa to be the investigation officer in the case.

Deputy prosecutor General NAB informed the court that Prime Minister Gilani has not relieved Tariq Khosa from his assignment at narcotics control division.

Abbas further stated that the government has recommended three names including CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed, Additional IG Finance Aftab Sultan and Additional Chief Secretary of KPK Fayyaz Ahmad for the position.

In response, the apex court formed a four-member bench to finalise the investigation officer in accordance with government's recommendation.

Also in today's proceedings, the apex court said it has no objection if the main accused in the case goes for a plea bargain with the NAB.

Shiekh Afzal's son informed the court that his father is ready for a plea bargain. The court responded that it was impartial and the accused would be facilitated if he wished to do so.

The court adjourned the hearing of Harris Steel Mills case till June 16.

COMMENTS (8)

Naushad Shafkat | 13 years ago | Reply It is quite obvious that the Supreme Court has over stepped its authority by asking for an investigation by a particular officer in the Harris Steel Mills case. This is clear indication that the Supreme Court has gone beyond its domain in its witch hunt against the government and gives succor to the now common perception that there is a method to this madness. After all even a first year law student knows that such acts fall within the domain of the Executive. The Prime Minister has done the right thing by refusing to accede to this illegal demand. One is entirely justified in asking why was the Bench altered in violation of the Supreme Court Rules when Mr. Nawaz Sharif's review petition was being heard? The bench was altered on whose application or request? Why is the Justice Dogar petition not being taken up? Why is Air Marshall Asghar Khan's petition still out in the cold? And why should the Supreme Court be forgiven for granting military dictators the power to amend the Constitution? Was not the present Chief Justice party to granting Musharraf the power to amend the Constitution? The people of Pakistan are asking these questions and want answers.

SD | 13 years ago | Reply @anwarahmad Prime minister has acted with dignity ? I think he has acted with a LACK of dignity to save the skins of his master's cronies.