Arsalan Iftikhar case: Mysterious list of journalists surfaces

List contains names of eight prominent media men.

LAHORE:

By the looks of it, the judiciary and Pakistan’s largest land developer are not the only ones whose reputations are on the line in the case involving alleged money received by the chief justice’s son. 

A mysterious list has been distributed on the premises of Punjab Assembly which put forward some explosive allegations – containing the names of some eight prominent journalists that allegedly received money, plots and other facilities overseas from real estate tycoon Malik Raiz.

While it is still unclear who distributed this one-page photocopied list, it has generated immense interest among intelligence agencies, sources familiar with the development said.

The list is mired in mystery given that its distributor disappeared off the scene soon after giving the list to some reporters at the Punjab Assembly. The paper reads: “The following list was leaked from Malik Riaz’s office and it contains the list of anchors and journalists who received funds.”

According to this list, out of the eight journalists, as many as four anchors/columnists belong to only one media group.

The journalist listed atop this list received some Rs28.5 million in three installments through National Bank of Pakistan including a luxury car (a Mercedes Benz).

While no one immediately verified – or denied – the contents of the list when contacted, there was immense interest generated by the issue. While the case remains in court, the buzz around the alleged involvement of some members of the media industry has generated as much interest as the involvement of the principal players themselves.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2012.