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Arsalan Iftikhar case: Malik Riaz to appear in court tomorrow
Iftikhar tries to pray to court directly, without mediating his counsel; request denied, told to sit down
Dr Iftikhar tries to pray to court directly, without mediating his counsel; request denied, told to sit down. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD: Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz arrived in Pakistan on Monday and will appear before the Supreme Court tomorrow.
Earlier, Riaz’s lawyer Zahid Bukhari said while speaking to the media that Riaz will submit his reply to the Supreme Court in the Arsalan Iftikhar case.
Speaking to the media at the Islamabad airport late on Monday, Riaz said that he has been instructed not to issue any statements, and would be submitting his reply in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court, however, said that there was no need for Riaz to come and he should just file a reply as soon as possible. Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, had submitted his detailed reply in compliance with the court orders, while Riaz had not filed any reply. Bukhari had claimed that he cannot come to Pakistan due to poor health.
The two-member bench, comprising Justice Jawad S Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif, began the hearing on Monday in the evening as opposed to its scheduled time of 1pm.
During the hearing, Dr Iftikhar tried to pray to the court directly, without mediating his counsel. His request was denied and he was told to sit down.
Justice Khwaja observed that the charges in the case alleged that the journalists were told to report that Iftikhar had taken money from Bahria Town chief in order to affect the judiciary. He directed Attorney General Irfan Qadir and Iftikhar’s counsel, Sardar Ishaq, to explain the nature of the crime to the court.
Ishaq informed the court that the crime was not that “significant” and said that this was the reason why “it was being concealed”.
A suo motu was taken against Iftikhar and Riaz, following media reports that Iftikhar had received between Rs300 and Rs400 million from Riaz to influence judicial proceedings.
Iftikhar seeks Riaz’s arrest
Earlier during the day, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar submitted an application in the Supreme Court seeking Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz’s arrest. He also asked the court to put his name and Riaz’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Iftikhar, in his plea, stated that Riaz had claimed during a talk-show on a private TV channel that he has pictures of Iftikhar’s family, and requested the court to bar Riaz from posting this material on social media websites including Twitter.
Barrister Ali Zafar was appointed by Bahria Town as its lawyer in the case.
‘Plea a conspiracy to stop Riaz’s return’
Terming Dr Iftikhar’s plea seeking Riaz’s arrest a “conspiracy” to stop him from coming back, Bukhari said that his client will come back to Pakistan even if there are 10 cases registered against him.
Speaking to the media on the premises of the Supreme Court, he said that Riaz was bringing back evidence with him that will be “as strong as a bomb” and that he had “news to give to the media”.
Bukhari said that his client was coming to Pakistan despite his ailment.
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Reader Comments (55)
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Please some one explain to me: if there are photos and they are not doctorered,why stop their being put on social media website.
Let justice be done.We have full confidence in Honourable Supreme Court
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They are all same…if you remember in 2009. Musharraf also sent the reference against CJ. It had some details of his son wrong appointment and other influence CJ.
Btw, what kind pictures, it means Mr Arsalan was involved in some acts which was not supposed made public?
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If Arsalan has nothing to hide then why bar Riaz Malik form posting pictures? What is Arsalan trying to hide from the public? Isn’t Arsalan admitting there is something incriminating in those pictures by making this request?
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@ Not me:
umm.. have you ever heard of anything called “privacy”..? or the laws to guard one’s privacy ?
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@Not me:
Putting content on social media has nothing to do with justice. It can only cause defamation and influence the course of hearing.
If these pictures present evidence of wrong-doing even if only circumstantial then they should be presented to court not put on social media.
May the justice prevail.
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An intelligent calculated move, But it will not work.
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@not me… thats because justice is supposed to be dispensed in a court of law and not on twitter.. Barring to release on social media does not mean it shouldnt be admissable as evidence in a court of law (if the content is such)
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Is it a step by arsalan to pressuerise Malik riaz before he comes to pakistan. I mean let the investigation be conducted and during that course or after investigation it can be decided who should be arrested.
The move seems to be typical tactic in our society to pressurize and harras the opponent. if such arrest orders are issued (i am sure there wont be any), then malik riaz will not come back and the investigation of the case will meet a dead end.
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@ Not me: Ever heard of something called ‘privacy’? How posting photographs on social networking sites would be helpful for this case?
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Not me: have you ever seen in any country other than Pakistan where cases are fought on private tv channels and social media. So Malik Riaz should refrain giving pictures of CJ family to media.
Secondly why this Malik Riaz making the pictures of arasalan , I am telling you it was a big trap and he caught. Let the case be fought in court only
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Rejection of Riaz`s application for larger bench smell something underneath the table.
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@ not me
dont u knw during 1997-98 a supreme court judge had to change his verdict coz the accused had blackmailed him by having cameras in the bathroom of judge house and where his family was him also….. …dnt want to name that person he is still in power
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Doctored or not doctored, I dont think it is appropriate to post pictures of anybodys family without his consent.
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Malik Riaz is trapped badly…He could only be saved by few bought anchors by him
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@Not me:
if its ok with if some1 shares the pictures of your family on social media, then its ur right to question!!
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@Haris Chaudhry:
How does Arsalan know Malik Riaz has something private of Arsalan’s unless Arsalan was involved with Malik Riaz allowing Malik Riaz to get hold of Arsalan’s “private” stuff? Sounds like an admission of guilt by Arsalan.
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@Haris Chaudhry:
Evidence of crime does not fall under privacy.
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Malk Riaz or no Malik Riaz. I want to know if the money he paid to live in London was taxed by the FBR?
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i think dr.arsalan is guilty thats why he is barring malik raiz to publish pictures.lets see the end of this game at last AABPARA HQ seems to be winner against supreme court( newely born and trying to get strength).Recommend
@Ali:
Why change it for Malik Riaz when it was allowed for everyone else? Sounds like prejudice against Malik Riaz. Also sounds like CJ supporters are worried that Arsalan would be proven guilty if evidence is allowed to come out freely.
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Where is the investigative role of media? After one blast only from the mastermind of
estate business, the senior anchors are hiding behind timid reasoning of their role.For a
poor person, a family dispute is flashed on the national media as the be-all of all news, while
the dimensions of this big event have been left to the involved parties to determine and make
public.I have not yet seen any definitive report making readers or viewers wiser in the case.I
foresee a whimpering close to the matter because of the lack of courage or commitment
of media persons or the master maneuvering of those involved.
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Why DR Iftikhar himslef has not been arrested unitll now like others in the same situation?
A Peshawary
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I am sure Alrslan was invloved in many wrong doings .He must be punsihed alongwith other side of the equation which is Malik Riaz who is well known to bribe (or at least try )anybody and everybody.But PPP and its supporters trying to use the scene for their political advantage and agaisnt CJP himself is totally wrong.And we the educated should not side with such gimmicks. Let the process of justice prevail.I am disapponited at one sided comments by many in the forum..
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Dr. Arsalan claims that he never met Malik Riaz. Right, then why are you afraid of the photos if it’s so. For your information, Dr. Arsalan, Malik Riaz not only has your photos with your family, but also video tapes, recorded secretly.
Furthermore, he claims to have video-taped several famous journalists accepting cash favours.
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The pictures should be made available to the Court and also to the public. After all its the people’s chief justice’s son. ;)
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Terming Dr Iftikhar’s plea seeking Riaz’s arrest a “conspiracy” to stop him from coming back, Bukhari said that his client will come back to Pakistan even if there are 10 cases registered against him.
Lets see if what he is saying materialises!
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@Not me:
what photo, how do u explain the photos for example arslan taking the money out of atm how would one know what card he is using who account he is using and if he have the pin no how did he get it i mean there r so many questions u cannot prove things like that just by taking PHOTOS what ever malick riaz planed is backfired horribley against him exactly as imran khan said two weeks ago while in a talk show with hamid mir
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Dr. Arslan became billionaire in less than 3 years time, and yet the CJ does not know about his son’s business although they live in the same house. Who is going to believe that. CJ’s family has been visiting UK and coming back with loads of gifts, yet CJ keeps his eyes closed. Is the rule of law only for the poors only? How come the CJ has not been able to find anyother judge to sit in the bench other than the two already in. Does this not tell the whole story.
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Dear……….. Now the law war began and each party has the rights to play its cards.. So commenting on moves of each players with questions like why he said this, why he did that, why why why……….. its all meaningless………….
Be cool and see…………. I hope this case will deliver FRUITS to Pakistan.
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@rafiq:
You need to apply your mind a bit. The photos may not neceaarily be Arsalan using ATMs, but his “”other “” activities during his stay in Europe on sponsored shopping sprees. Remember, he denies to have ever met Malik Riaz or his family.
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@Haris Chaudhry: Criminals should not have privacy
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The nation deserves the financial profiling of the CJ’s son—his assets and liabilities over the
last ten years and the income tax paid.A person, who had accepted a Grade-17 post at one
time, cannot become a billionaire so rapidly, unless he is under the tutelage of an estate wizard like Riaz.( And mind it even billionaires would hesitate to spend so much money in one visit
as he is reported to have done.) Truth must come out!!
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It is absolutely an intruesion in one’s private life if photos or similar materials are exhibited on
social network irrespective of the fact they are genuine/fake.However they may be presented before the court as evidence against the accused.ofcourse there is no smoke without a fire.The accused may have to prove how does he finance his high life including visits to the uk every year.
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FBR shall be independently involved in this whole issue and investigate all the parties involved.
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Who is Arsalan to “seek” anybody’s arrest?? This corrupt guy thinks he is the CJ of Pakistan !!
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Its quite amazing, CJ can even notice a wine’s bottle in Attiqa Udho’s laggage at Karachi Airport but can’t notice how his own son becomes a billionaires in just few years….
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Anyone having serious evidence, and not fake photographs (which in the age of animation are not difficult to make; you can prepare any type of photographs you want for any person) does not need to resort to dirty tactics like putting them on the web. In fact, if he does intend to do that, irrespective of the authenticity of the photographs, it is obvious these have been kept and preserved with a certain purpose; clearly the ulterior motives of the tycoon are proved beyond doubt if he has gone to the extend of preparing/acquiring or doctoring/engineering (whatever you may like to call it). Arsalan’s photographs. It is not only a question of invading someone’s privacy, it is also evidence that the keeper of such photographs, which he thinks would help put Dr. Arsalan in a bad light, . had intention to blackmail in mind. Dr \Arsalan’s request to bar him from doing so is perfectly moral as well as legal.
As for the spectators on the sidelines, they need to control their instinct to derive pleasure from such acts of blackmail.
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n What a Islamic law we have,, Quran says, Rishwat deney wala or Leney wala dono Jahanumi hain” so why should only one who taken bribes should be sentenced? why not the one who offering and making the entire “Society” filthy should be trailed??
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@Shery:
Why the same rule was not applied to Mansoor Ijaz who admitted to his crime but only Haqani was investigated?
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Now Pakistani people may also demand to bring Rs 400 millions to Pakistan,
either its belong to Malik Riaz or Arsalan
We have been asking so much from PPP and PML-N leaders
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In Asian sub continent countries of Bangaldesh, India,Pakistan and Sri Lanka a law does not apply to rich and poor alike.There are diffrent standards of application of the laws.Recommend
Iftikhar needs to step down. Arsalan is not the only one who needs to be investigated. The whole family of Iftikhar needs to be thoroughly investigated. Also, it is very important that the matter be investigated by Executive or Parliament. Investigation by Judiciary does not make any sense and will lead us nowhere. All evidence in the form of Documents, Photos and Videos should be made available to the public on print, electronic and social media and should be widely circulated. The people of Pakistan have a right to know. Game of hide and seek must end.
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According to Arsalan, he has never even met Riaz. If that is the case how does Arsalan know that Riaz has personal photos of himself and his family?
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It was interesting to watch a discussion on Pakistani TV. One respectable journalist said why media persons were called and met Malik Riaz. He quoted his own example, being a man of principles, Malik Riaz dare not to use him for such venture. Another very reputed media anchor behaved extremely wise and refused to comment or discuss the issue unless concrete evidence is obtained. The former respected journalist has questioned the reputed media anchors what for they visited and met Malik Riaz. To me whole episode has been played with the conveyance of Media anchors and now they are in fore fronts to give it a pre-designed turn. Any way such incidents raise the question of ethical code of conduct for media also. A normal incident in which son of CJ has been alleged to have involved in illegal bribery has been given so much coverage as this country has no other topic or problem but just to peep in the private life affairs of Chaudhry family. Oh Pakistani Media have a mercy on this nation, see what you are doing in this case and please examine your attitude and behaviour.
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@Dr. Doolittle: Taxed are not taxed, what does it mean…? Crime is crime…… plz dont try to justify Arslan’s crime.
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Riaz is is a Master manipulator . He deprived small peasants from their subsistence land holdings. Ask the people of Takhat Pari who lost their entire holdings to him at Rs 60000/=a kanal for which my city brothers paid Rs 5 Million per Kanal to make Riaz multi billion-er.
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This lawyer has a lot of excuses and very colorful language
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Why an FIR has not been ordered against the main culprit, Arsalan Iftikhar, for living beyond the means, and amassing wealth without legal and documented business dealings. Let’s see how long “dad and uncles” are going to protect him.
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@Haris Chaudhry:
Privacy? Which law are you referring to? This isn’t America. Besides, you can’t prevent others from releasing the pictures of a crime. That’s called obstruction of justice.
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@Shery:
Don’t bring Islam into everything. We have penal code of Pakistan to run the country. And that’s it. Leave Islamic Laws for the judges and the right wing politicians to fool the people or to get the verdicts of their liking.
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Irsalan was not allowed to speak without the Court’s permission, its appreciated that procedure is being followed, even, in the CJP’s son’s case……..
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Doctoring on photo shop is simple. You can put a bikini on any leader
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@Those who are criticizing CJ
*As per government policy,Judges are awarded two plots but in 2009 Honorable CJ refused to take billion rupees plot *
Will u still raise question on his integrity and honesty?
If you still do then I feel sorry for you people because you can’t see the truth.
At least CJ is billions or trillions times better than all the powerful elite in this country .
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Uncle judges are only going after Malik Riaz and have not questioned Arsalan’s unaccounted for wealth at any stage. What is going on?
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If CJP and his son were living in the same house how it is possible that he was not aware of activitiies of his son? If it is true that his son became billionare in a few years without any business then thorough inquiry should be made into his assets. An inquiry should also be conducted against Malik Riaz as to how he accumulated unlimited wealth and if proved that they have acccumulated wealth through illegal means their assets should be confiscated and sold in the market and proceeds be deposited in the natinal exchequer Theyshould also be awarded exemplary punishment besides confiscation of assets.
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