NICL chief investigator: Apex court takes hold of suspension record
The Supreme Court took the possession on Friday of the entire record pertaining to the suspension of lead investigator in the National Insurance Company Limited [NICL] scam Zafar Ahmad Qureshi.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chadudhry observed that the summary moved by the secretary interior for suspending Qureshi was “unlawful”.
The chief justice observed this while heading a three-judge bench hearing a suo motu notice taken over the controversy regarding the suspension of Zafar Ahmed Qureshi, assigned the task of investigation into the multi-million-rupee scam.
Earlier, Attorney-General Molvi Anwarul Haq accompanied by Secretary Establishment Suhail Ahmed and Secretary Interior Khawaja Sidique Akbar filed the relevant record in the court.
Secretary Establishment Division Suhail Ahmed said that the summary had not been moved under the establishment division rules.
The chief justice observed that the court had issued its order on July 1 whereas Qureshi was suspended the next day in an apparent attempt to defy the judicial order.
“You ought to go through Article 4 of the Constitution every morning which clearly states dealing with individuals’ rights in accordance with law. Moreover, officials like you are further bound by Article 5 (demonstrating loyalty to the state) and Article 10A (about fair trial), he added.
Meanwhile, the attorney-general apprised the bench that he had conveyed the court’s concerns to relevant quarters.
When the court asked if all of the original members of the investigating team had taken charge of their previous posts and resumed investigation of the case, the attorney-general submitted that one officer, who was posted in Peshawar, had returned, while the other three had been informed.
However, Haq did not say anything when he was asked about Qureshi’s statement that he was being harassed. The chief justice observed that that the court was “showing restraint”.
The bench said it would forward the issue to the chief justice of the Lahore High Court who will appoint a judge conduct an inquiry (and) everything will become crystal clear. We have to recover the looted money and arrest the culprits,” the chief justice said.
Responding to another query about a campaign against judiciary in the electronic media, the attorney-general replied that he had communicated to the secretary of the information ministry who had also talked to the (Supreme Court’s) registrar office about the issue.
“He told us that the matter was being probed and (officials were trying to identify people) who were sponsoring the move,” he added.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain while comparing situation in Karachi to anarchy observed that defiance of Court’s orders might lead to similar chaos in society.
The hearing will resume on July 18.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2011.
COMMENTS (21)
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The CJ shoud either not take suo motto but if he does he must than punish those found not abiding by law. In the instant case he must slap contempt of court on the Prime Minister
@Seher Siddiqui: I think that these leaders/criminals should learn from PML-N and simply attack the courts/prisons to get these criminals released. Why should the ruling party of Punjab has the advantage? Time for CJ to prove that he is fair, impartial and strict with all, not just his political opponents and supports PML-N. I agree with you, all the criminals should be in jail not ruling the country. However, only a few political parties are targeted. Thanks and regards, Mirza
Is Mr.Zafar Qureshi is the only honest and competent person in the whole lot of FIA?
In the end government will submitt to judiciary that after proper inquiry ZQ will be reinstated tf found innocent.CJ who might bet be feeling embarrassed after refusal of the government will give a stern warning and matter will be solved on retirement of ZQ who join N at proper time.He should now take suo moto action against Punjab police for releasing Aqil Anjum of PMLN under the nose of Khadime Punjab.
In Pakistan there are multiple laws in Pakistan and all of them are implemented if the accused is a poor person. For elites there is no law and this will be tested in case of Moonis Elahi and Amin Faheem. Supreme court has asked why Amin Kassim Dada has not been arrested so far and how did he manage slip out of country. The answer lies in his relationships with a heavyweight stock broker and ones in bureaucracy and law enforcement agencies. The court should ask another question how and who appointed the directors on NICL.
I am sure those who are supporting the govt and assert that the judiciary shd not be doing all this, are involved in corruption, one way or the other. If judiciary was not coming in the way of zardari and co, they wd have sold the country by now. So for God sake, dnt be sensless. Everyone knows why the GOVt is adamant on not re instating qureshi, because they need qatil league and qatil league doesn,t want qureshi because monis is involved.
Pakistan, is there any hope, a country run by crooks, and every blames the US
there are 2 laws , 1 for elite class other one for AWAM
Law should be applicable to everyone. What one person (Qureshi) is given a favored position by the Supreme Court.
Strange, pakistan going to vanish due to our Govt ,.Elites class, establishment, forces policies, need revolution
Every government servant is well aware of the Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1973, which clearly prohibit a government servant (other than those specifically authorized) frrom disclosing any official document or matter to any one. This rule has been there since decades. Let us see how the SC twists this basic principle of official conduct.
June 18. wrong
What an open defiance by the government against judiciary!!!! This leads to open corruption in the country. Another strange thing is that Shfqat Naghmi has been appointed by interior ministry to investigate the charges of misconduct against Mr. Zafar Qureshi without taking care that Naghmi's record of inefficiency and corruption are not hidden by one. Supre Court may also raise an enquiry against Naghmi because of his corruption in MINFA and PARC.
The hearing has been adjourned till June 18.???
Superb and Govt is very bold and knew that by not obeying law, no one can ask from them. If supreme court already taken strong action against NRO Case, then we don't have to see this day. This is because of Justice Iftikhaar relaxation.
Court needs not to poke its nose in others affairs, CJ let the Government do its work and do your work. Go any lower court, court employees taking bribe openly even judges are doing all this.
CJ dont try to be hero always.
Jaisay loag waisay hukmaran! We, as a nation needs to correct ourselves!
This indeed is amazing.......................... If the government does not obey the orders of the Highest Court of the land, then is is setting very bad example.
Orders should be obeyed. SCP can hold a party in contempt and that will debar that person from contesting election or holding any public office in my opinion
Hits keep on coming! It seems less a matter of legality and constitutionality and more of ego. The representation of state and state institution must be without passion and prejudice. What is being observed is that Judges seem to have made their mind and their convicting tone confirms this. Due to this they have crossed all the boundaries the Constitution has laid and for almost 2 and half years they are encroaching the executive domain, conveniently saying that Constitution is what we tell you and not what you understand. On the other hand people who have abused power in this particular matter or any other matter seem to have decided to confront with a plea that Judiciary cannot grab executive power instead properly investigating and penalizing the culprit(s). Now the drama is on a critical juncture. Executive and Judiciary has ensured entertainment for the so called intelligentsia and good business for a highly insensitive and unjust media. So enjoy if you want. I wish both institutions had taken same enthusiasm in cases against the suspected terrorist who has just been released by SC.
Still the government is in place, amazing. This only happens in ‘Pak’ land, Pakistan paeindabad.