NICL scam: SC issues contempt notice to FIA chief

Accused of transferring Zafar Qureshi when he was leading investigations into the scam on court’s directives.


Qaiser Zulfiqar May 11, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


The head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Malik Muhammad Iqbal, was served with a contempt-of-court notice for initiating Zafar Qureshi’s transfer while he was leading the investigation into the multi-million-rupee National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) land scam on the court’s directive.


A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry directed the FIA chief to submit his reply by May 16. PML-Q loyalists present in the court to support Moonis Elahi were visibly disappointed when the chief justice took Iqbal to task for obstructing justice. “How dare you interfere in court matters? You will have to face the consequences,” the chief justice remarked. It was the first hearing of the NICL scam after the PML-Q joined the government last week. According to critics, the deal was reportedly concluded to salvage Elahi’s political career.

FIA additional director-general Zafar Qureshi was assigned to investigate the NICL land scam by the Supreme Court. Qureshi, with the backing of the apex court, unearthed secret deals and arrested influential persons involved in embezzlement. He was transferred back to the National Police Foundation after FIA chief wrote to the establishment that Qureshi had completed the investigation into the scam and had submitted the final charge-sheet in the apex court.

The CJ observed that Iqbal has been violating court orders since he assumed charge. Iqbal transferred three officials spearheading the NICL and Hajj scams shortly after his appointment. Qureshi apprised the court that he had informed Iqbal that the case had been adjourned for three weeks and that investigations were still under way. He submitted that he received the notification for his transfer from the secretary establishment after their correspondence.

“Why did you relinquish charge when you knew you were investigating this case on the apex court’s directions?” the CJ questioned Qureshi. He asked the FIA chief why he had disassociated him from the investigation. “Had you been competent enough you would have recovered all the plundered money,” the CJ observed. He remarked that when Qureshi was heading the investigation, he had recovered Rs1.74 billion from the accused. The FIA chief said he  had not asked for his transfer. Justice Sair Ali asked him to submit an affidavit on the transfer Qureshi on the establishment’s request.

The chief justice maintained that the DG had written to the interior ministry for his transfer instead of facilitating him in the case. He said only the DG could answer why he removed Qureshi when he was making visible progress in the case. “This will be considered interference in court matters.” The DG was issued a notice for contempt of court under article 204 of the constitution. The CJ observed that officials should respect the court’s directions.

Counsel for Moonis Elahi SM Zafar submitted that he was facing problems in the lower courts on account of the proceedings. The chief justice observed that lower courts will work in accordance with the law. He said all the ambiguities would be cleared on May 16. PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Federal Minister Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain were present in the court along with other party high-ups.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2011.

COMMENTS (5)

Abdur Rauf | 12 years ago | Reply Court has moved in to right direction by issuing notice to the DG FIA. But real culprit in this case , Rehman Malik will not be touched /inquired . He manuplated in a way to force Monas Allahi affected Q League to join hands with Zardari at their terms . What a classic politicle move . Supreme Court can not summon every body as it failed miserably in the famouse case NRO. Its high time for the civil society / law abiding citizen to come farward and cry for the change in order to strengthen the Supreme Court in implementing the orders of the court .
Noukhez | 12 years ago | Reply SC is there to provide justice and according to me all of these investigation agencies come under the leadership of the CJ of the time. Making any decisions by them selves with out the consultation of the court's permission should be treated as treason and should be punsihed accordingly. A fine example has been set that still in the presence of the government officials not much of the influence settled on the CJ. A scene seen once again as was reported at the time of Hazrat Omer's khilafat.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ