Hajj scam: Gilani, Malik accused of contempt of court

Petitioner says govt hasn’t withdrawn Hussain Asghar’s transfer orders.

ISLAMABAD: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik for not reinstating lead investigator of the Hajj scam, Hussain Asghar, to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Advocate Tariq Asad has contended in the petition filed under Article 204 of the Constitution that the government has not withdrawn the officer’s transfer orders in violation of the apex court’s orders.

Asghar was promoted and transferred to Gilgit-Baltistan as the Inspector General, while spearheading investigations into the Hajj scam. The Supreme Court had ordered that his transfer orders be withdrawn and he resume the investigation into the multi-million rupee corruption case.

Earlier, former secretary establishment Sohail Ahmed was penalised for notifying Asghar’s reinstatement in pursuance of court orders. But even after Asghar’s transfer in the FIA was notified, he failed to report to Islamabad. Director- General FIA informed the SC that he could not be contacted. He had, however, assured the court that the investigation of the Hajj scam would be handed over to him once he reached Islamabad.

Asad stated in the petition that Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq had informed the SC that the G-B government refused to relieve Asghar till his successor’s appointment. He has requested the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the prime minister and the interior minster for flouting court orders.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2011.