Govt hails 'victory of justice'

ISLAMABAD/SIALKOT/KARACHI:

The ruling coalition on Friday hailed the court the court verdict the Al-Qadir Trust case, saying justice has come full circle.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar reaffirmed the government's commitment to an independent judiciary while highlighting irregularities in the £190 million settlement case.

He said that matters under Article 175 lie exclusively within the judiciary's domain.

Talking to media persons, Tarar criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders for making media statements instead of presenting their case in court. Ultimately, a trial court handed down convictions of 10 and 7 years for those found guilty.

The law minister underscored the government's commitment to transparency and justice while emphasising the role of the judiciary in addressing such issues.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the defense counsel fought the case on political grounds and did not submit any evidence to counter proofs given by the prosecution.

During media talk outside the Parliament House, he said that the scam was the mega corruption case in Pakistan's history. The minister said the judge in the verdict stated that the defense counsel could not present evidence to prove innocence of the accused.

He said that the defense team could not even respond to the evidence of bribery, corruption and misuse of power and authority provided by the prosecution.

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf could not present solid evidence in court to prove his innocence in the court. He lamented that the PTI had the habit of using religion card and in this case they tried to hide behind the religion.

Tarar said that the PTI had the right of appeal but they will have to prove that no sealed envelope was brought to the cabinet meeting and it did not approve the agenda item. "Corruption and bribery are proven in this case, misuse of authority is also proven."

The minister said that sentence was awarded to the accused while fulfilling the legal requirements. The sentence passed was on merit, the accused had failed to prove their innocence, he remarked.

Planning Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal said the court decision in the £190 million corruption case, which he called the 'biggest graft case' in the political history of Pakistan, had exposed the real face of the PTI founder and his spouse.

"It is the biggest corruption case in the political history of Pakistan, perhaps in South Asia, which ended in conviction following clear documented evidence and the court trial," he said while addressing a news conference.

He remarked on how strange it was that the PTI founder hoodwinked and mustered public support in the name of Tehreek-e-Insaf to gain get into the power corridors; and looted the public exchequer.

He urged the nation, especially the youth and the PTI supporters who were disappointed after seeing the real face of the PTI founder, to unite and become part of the country's 'URAAN PAKISTAN' plan to transform the country into one of the leading economies of the 21st century.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that when PTI founder chairman Imran Khan was shouting slogans of thieves and robbers but he himself committed a big fraud.

Addressing a news conference at his residence in Sialkot, he said that false allegations were levelled against Nawaz Sharif and when nothing was found against him, he was exiled from the country on the issue of 'Iqama'. He said the so-called Al-Qadir University did not exist; its trustees were Imran Khan's wife and he himself. It has been four years since Al-Qadir University started, but it has about 300 students till date. "Do universities have the same number of students in so many years," he asked.

Asif said the media should go there and investigate how many classes are held at Al-Qadir University; how many degrees are awarded, what education is provided there, what is the role of this university, and see what is happening there, how many people have graduated from there in the past four years and how many students are studying there currently, he added.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam said that judiciary has established the supremacy of justice.

A statement issued after the verdict, the minister said that no one was above the law and accountability is equal for all. The minister said that the verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust case was a victory of transparency and justice.

Those who call themselves honest and trustworthy turned out to be the biggest robbers, he added.

Sindh's Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon described January 17 as the most important day in the history of Pakistan. "Another truth has come to light today. A person, who had been deceiving the public for years under the guise of truth and honesty, with a mask of righteousness, now has that mask removed."

Addressing a news conference in Karachi, Memon stated that the 126-day sit-in was an attempt to blackmail the state. He emphasised that this individual should not be associated with Pakistan or its people, adding that "the PTI continues to act against the state solely to benefit one person".

He stated that the punishment given to Imran Khan and his wife is a consequence of the very practices Imran Khan himself had implemented.

"Imran Khan used NAB to have his opponents arrested and targeted. If someone spoke against him on a TV program, they would receive a NAB notice the very next day."

The senior minister said that Imran Khan imprisoned the PPP President Asif Ali Zardari and Mrs Faryal Talpur, as well as the leadership of the PML-N. He added that Imran Khan's plan was to dominate the country through NAB. "Today, he is facing the consequences of his wrongdoings." He referred to Imran Khan as a corporate criminal who stole watches from Toshakhana and sold them.