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.
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.
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.