Taking action on the allegations brought forth by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) against Ministry of Narcotics Control (MNC) Secretary Zafar Abbas Luk, the Supreme Court (SC) declared all directives issued by the latter invalid.
The court rescinded all directives issued by Luk and held him directly responsible for the problems pertaining to the investigation. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry noted that orders pertaining to the stoppage of funds by the MNC Secretary were intended to create obstacles in the investigation. The SC, in its order, also maintained that the ANF has authority to probe the matter.
The SC also barred the MNC Secretary from working as the ANF Director General (DG) and cancelled all recent transfers in the force. The court was lenient, however, regarding the army’s decision to call back former ANF DG Major General Shakeel Hussain and directed defence authorities to decide his future.
On Thursday, ANF Regional Director Brigadier Fahim Ahmed Khan in his statement before the SC alleged that Luk took over as acting MNC Secretary to deliberately sabotage investigations into the Ephedrine scandal. Brig Khan also accused Luk of association with the accused in the case.
Responding to allegations against him in the court, Zafar Abbas Luk accused the ANF of fabricating cases implicating innocent people. He claimed to hold proof regarding the matter and went a step further, saying, “Tomorrow the ANF might even incriminate the prime minister by planting heroin in his car.” He alleged the ANF officials were mutinous and dishonest and claimed he would resign if his accusations were untrue.
Meanwhile, despite his father’s directives, Ali Musa Gilani failed to return to Pakistan to attend the court hearing. The PM had asked his son to return immediately and be party to the Ephedrine case investigations.
Appearing on Ali Musa’s behalf, Salman Akram Raja told the court that the former had been advised to join the investigations and if need be, appear in court proceedings. Raja added that he will file a concise statement on Ali Musa’s behalf. The SC directed Sheikh Rasheed, who has pleaded to be party to the case, to contact the ANF in this regard.
The SC also accepted an application submitted on behalf of Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, by Raja asking the latter be made a party to the proceedings.
The court will resume hearing after three weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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when a jury is prejudiced and biased his position is exposed by GOD even after his death as the case of maulvi Mushtaq when bees attacked over his dead body.
Pakistan is now synonymous with mega scandals, mega corruption, mega nepotism, mega lawlessness. Wake up citizens - enough is enough. Allah will not change our circumstances unless we change ourselves. Assert yourself for change in next elections and get rid of corrupt system and people.
Innocent people of this country don't know how their beloved leaders fleece their Halal income,these leaders are vaulters in their private timings.Long live democracy and dictators.
Supreme court of Pakistan has a long history of opposing democratic forces and the current supreme court is no different. The ANF brigadier says "JUMP" and the dishonorable Justices say "HOW HIGH, SIR?"
Pathetic.
We watch BNN on GEO every week and this is another Banana News Network Show. See show of 20 April 2012 and then Watch this and you wont stop laughing. @Gangly Khan you are so right. We have now reached a point where Pakistan's governance is a comedy show. Every one wants Supreme Court to take decision. It is time they put High Octane and speed up their engines.
"The court was lenient, however, regarding the army’s decision to call back former ANF DG Major General Shakeel Hussain and directed defence authorities to decide his future." This two tier justice in PCO SC, one against the elected civilians and the other against generals says it all. The unelected public paid judiciary has made a mockery of SC, which is supposed to be the highest constitutional and appeals court not a petty trial court in every political case. In every country the SC is a final appeals court not the lowest criminal court except Pakistan under PCO judges.
Scandles taking place in our country are always true. But there is no law to make accountable rulers and government servants. Law is only used against poor citizens. In this country no one can punish patwari and police man or low grade servant of judiciary for their involvement in malpractices. One can;t believe that big shots would be punished for misusing powers. All proceedings carried out in higher courts are political battles being fought on public expense to be fool people.