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Off-air leak a ‘big conspiracy’, says Riaz’s counsel

Published: June 17, 2012

Bukhari demands that the hidden faces behind the conspiracy be exposed. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

LAHORE: 

Zahid Bukhari, the counsel for real estate magnate Malik Riaz, said on Saturday that the leaked off-air footage of his client’s controversial Dunya TV interview appeared to be ‘a big conspiracy’, adding that he would stand by the court against this conpiracy.

Bukhari, whose entry into the Lahore Bar has been banned due to his representing Riaz in the Dr Arsalan case, was addressing a press conference in Lahore. He demanded that the hidden faces behind the conspiracy be exposed.

Bukhari said the Supreme Court did not give “a clean chit” to any one which showed that there was an imminent need to investigate the situation. The controversial property developer’s counsel also claimed that his client had not given any money or bungalows to journalists, an allegation making the rounds since a list containing a list of media persons apparently on Riaz’s payroll was leaked.

Bukhari also read out an email which he claimed was sent to him by Riaz in which, he said, Riaz had denied giving any financial or other favours to journalists. The counsel further claimed that the list of journalists, allegedly given cars, property and cash which was published on a Bahria Town letterhead, was bogus and had no legal significance.

Regarding questions pertaining to Riaz’s allegations against the chief justice and the superior judiciary during a press conference in Islamabad earlier this week Bukhari said he had no association with his client’s comments. He added “it would have been better” if his client had consulted him prior to holding the contentious press conference.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2012.

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Reader Comments (23)

  • Mirza
    Jun 17, 2012 - 9:15AM

    The right to have an attorney is the basic fundamental right of every person. Even the serial killers have this right and it cannot be denied. If a person cannot afford a lawyer the govt provides him with one. Like a doctor and other professionals it is the duty of a lawyer to help his client no matter what. Anything else would be unethical and unprofessional. Both Ahsan and Bukhari are doing their professional job and it makes some upset why?

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  • Imran Con
    Jun 17, 2012 - 9:32AM

    Tracking the exact people behind the leak and having some form of meaningful outcome is a lost cause. The way they did it leaves enough room for each and every accused to deny it and point the finger elsewhere. He said, she said. They’d probably have to go after the company as a whole. Though you might get their version of a scapegoat once you do.

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  • howz dat
    Jun 17, 2012 - 10:37AM

    its seems like everyone in Pakistan is conspiring against someone at all times

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  • Hairaan
    Jun 17, 2012 - 12:03PM

    If this is a conspiracy, the nation would like more of these conspiracies to expose the black sheep in our society.

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  • True Muslim Paki
    Jun 17, 2012 - 12:52PM

    One more conspiracy theory!Recommend

  • Jun 17, 2012 - 2:47PM

    This was a conspiracy to save the nation from the likes of Malik riaz & co. We are all for it.

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  • Hairaan
    Jun 17, 2012 - 3:19PM

    @Mirza:
    We are also fulfilling our duty…..to speak our conscious. Why are you upset?

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  • Shakir Lakhani
    Jun 17, 2012 - 3:23PM

    “Regarding questions pertaining to Riaz’s allegations against the chief justice and the superior judiciary during a press conference in Islamabad earlier this week Bukhari said he had no association with his client’s comments.” Think again. This was also a conspiracy! Someone told Riaz to say such things without consulting you!

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  • H.A. Khan
    Jun 17, 2012 - 4:24PM

    Buddy tell me how was it a conspiracy?.The whole interview was a staged show.

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  • Sonya
    Jun 17, 2012 - 4:26PM

    @Mirza: excellent comment, I think the highly politicized lawyers and their organizations are in fact denying fundamental rights when they refuse and press other lawyers refuse to fight cases. Black coats are creating a black history.Recommend

  • Tariq
    Jun 17, 2012 - 4:34PM

    The whistle blowers should be congratulated !

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  • ahmed
    Jun 17, 2012 - 5:12PM

    It is amazing that instead of being shameful that such conduct was contrary to public trust they are concerned about leak but not the fact that everything is on sale in Pakistan. Nothing is pathetic and there is no shame. Meher Bokhari behaving same as Gilani. No shame no wrong doing no matter what we do. It is not normal where a convicted PM claims to be a victim and his son is part of the people who are behind this scandal.Recommend

  • Jun 17, 2012 - 6:19PM

    What a big conspiracy? oh,no nothing. Nothing as hoped or expected will be forthcoming. In this
    world of ours, one reaps only what he sow. Therefore please be relaxed and enjoy the ever-changing scenario round the clock, which make the ‘face-study’ of all major actors all the more interesting. All well that ends well.Recommend

  • joy
    Jun 17, 2012 - 6:53PM

    I am becoming convinced……..Pakistanis don’t need our ” bollywood……..they have their own talk shows and the glorious persons hosting them

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  • Muhammed Usama Aziz
    Jun 17, 2012 - 7:10PM

    @Mirza:
    So it means no matter what heinous crime a person commits, the lawyer will still defend that person and forget the injustices meted out to the other side?

    If this is so, then humanity is at its lowest ebb!!

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  • Mohd Butt
    Jun 17, 2012 - 7:20PM

    I may not like Bukhari but don’t stop him to fight within the system and seek what system allow to his client. Let the court roul not any one else.

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  • Muhammed
    Jun 17, 2012 - 7:53PM

    yes – i agree with someone up there – - we are NATION of conspirators :) we think Jews are conspiring against ourselves, our nation – we even think that when milk man add Water in our Milk – it is a consipiracy. We also ensure that when when Policeman asks for RISHWAT – we blame it on India. We put all of our problems to CONSPIRATORS and do nothing to stop it.
    What a nation are we ?….

    I guess – it is now time to STOP saying it and ACT and work to make this nation a better one. We have all it takes to be a great nation – the Only thing missing is _ ACCEPT OUR MISTAKES

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  • tariq
    Jun 17, 2012 - 8:16PM

    Last time i read bukhari had quit being riaz lawyer so was he lying than or is he lying now

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  • American
    Jun 17, 2012 - 11:33PM

    Reminds me of MAD magazine’s “spy vs. spy”..
    In Pakistan, it is “conspiracy vs. conspiracy”….
    What joy… I am jealous of Pakistanis..they are having way too much fun…

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  • Ali
    Jun 18, 2012 - 12:52AM

    Everything is a conspiracy except the inflation and lack of electricity. Yes, they are for real.

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  • AllahRukha
    Jun 18, 2012 - 3:22AM

    Malik Riaz was a saint to the Pakistani media and so called intellectuals before Arsalan scandal. Nobody, in open pointed any fingers to him and his wealth. However, after the revelation of allegations, he has been portrayed as a rapacious trader always up for exploitation.

    I don’t think anybody is sincere here. Neither the judiciary nor the Pakistani media nor the business community alongside the politicians.

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  • @plarkin
    Jun 18, 2012 - 4:30AM

    @Muhammed Usama Aziz:

    That’s how the legal system works. Lawyers represent everyone. Even the 9/11 conspirators got court-appointed lawyers. It’s a fundamental right.

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  • Kazmis
    Jun 18, 2012 - 9:26AM

    There must be some conspiracy theory for this leakage. In deep analysis it comes out that Mr Mallick Riaz interview was seen more and more after this act of stolen material publication. Stolen material was itself seen by every one, highlighting Malick Riaz’s question against CJ, his son and many others. There was no other way to emphasis his questions repeatedly. It concludes that it might be Mr Malick Riaz himself in exposing off the record video??

    Recommend

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