Buzdar inquiry copies sought

ACE claims ex-CM facing 12 allegations; counsel alleges political victimisation

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh has directed the concerned authorities to provide copies of complaints and details of inquiries to the petitioner, former chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, who has filed a plea seeking information about FIRs registered against him and pending inquiries.

During the proceedings, the law officer informed the court that the petitioner had previously filed a similar case, and all details of his cases had been provided to him.

Filing similar cases is tantamount to wasting the court's time, he argued. Only one case is registered against the petitioner in DG Khan; no other case has been registered against him.

The petitioner's counsel argued that 10 inquiries were pending against his client, but now the Anti-Corruption department claims there are 12 inquiries.

The counsel argued that this shows the petitioner is being politically victimised.

The Anti-Corruption department had already provided some details, but was issuing notices to the petitioner, indicating that there may be other hidden cases.

Justice Sheikh asked why copies of inquiries are provided to the accused persons in corruption cases, to which the law officer replied that it is purely the mandate of the trial court. If the court directs them, they could provide the copies.

In his petition, Buzdar contended that as the PTI chief had bestowed his confidence on him and nominated him for the election of Chief Minister, he was elected and sworn in on August 20, 2018.

He submitted that following the political chaos in Punjab, he resigned from CM's office, and the Punjab Assembly was dissolved by the then Punjab CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, after which a caretaker setup was sworn in.

He further argued that after the PTI government was toppled at the federal level and the PMLN formed a government in collaboration with PDM, the federal government and caretaker setup in Punjab began registering frivolous FIRs against various PTI leaders and workers, including him.

Buzdar requested details and information about any pending complaints, inquiries and FIRs, but the Anti-Corruption department acted malafidely and hid such details.

He filed a writ petition, and on the direction of Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, a report was submitted disclosing ten pending complaints and inquiries in the DG Khan region. However, no copies were provided to the petitioner, showing malafide on the part of the concerned quarters.

The DG Anti-Corruption issued a notice to the petitioner regarding two inquiries, but no details were shared.

The petitioner requested sufficient time for recovery, but subsequent notices were issued for personal appearance. The respondents are creating hindrances and obstructions for the petitioner and are trying not only to humiliate him but also to arrest him by any means.

The petitioner sought a direction to restrain the Director General Anti-Corruption Punjab, his subordinates, and all directorates from taking any coercive measures, apprehending, harassing, or arresting him until the disposal of this petition. The respondents are still constantly registering false complaints against the petitioner merely to stop him from contesting upcoming elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2023.