Court seeks replies in case against minister
PHOTO: FILE
The Sindh High Court sought replies on Thursday from the petitioner in the case against Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh after the provincial government submitted its investigation report.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed and Justice Agha Faisal heard the case.
According to the report submitted before the court by Sindh Advocate General Salman Talibuddin, the investigation committee formed by Sindh IGP Mushtaq Mahar did not find any evidence pertaining to Shaikh's involvement in crimes.
The petitioner, however, contended that former Shikarpur SSP Dr Rizwan's report contained records against persons involved in crimes. But the former SSP did not take action against those persons, according to the petitioner.
"How did confidential reports against a current provincial minister reach the petitioners?" asked Talibuddin. At this, the petitioner stated that he shared a personal relationship with the police officers investigating Shaikh, adding that the provincial minister meets those officials till date. The petitioner contended that he had video and pictorial evidence to back his claims.
Former Sindh IGP Kaleem Imam had sought the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the allegations against Shaikh, said the petitioner. But the current IGP has set up a three-member committee, the petitioner told the court. Dr Rizwan's report had revealed Sheikh's links with criminals, he maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2020.