Arsalan Iftikhar case: ‘NAB can investigate, chairman has misunderstanding’
NAB chairman said on Thursday that it was a case between two individuals and had no financial implications on the national exchequer, hence the case did not come under the NAB ordinance.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Bukhari said, “I am sure that either he has a misunderstanding or the statement he gave yesterday that the NAB cannot investigate this case, is not his own.”
He said that according to Section 9 and 18 of the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, NAB can investigate such cases.
Bukhari added that “proper legal assistance” was not provided to NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari, which probably resulted in such a statement.
Riaz’s counsel said that Attorney General Irfan Qadir had quoted examples of cases where NAB had, in the past, investigated private cases as well.
“However, I do not demand that they should, but you should read the Section 9 and the Section 18 and then decide.”
He said that he would not have any issues even if the AG decides that the case be referred to any other institution than NAB.
Bukhari further said that it will be the attorney general’s decision that will decide who will investigate the case.
NAB spokesperson Zafar Iqbal Khan had said that the bureau is not investigating any corruption case against Bahria Town and its former chief Malik Riaz.
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The SC has directed the AG to do the job. It is up to the AG (like in most countries) how he goes about it. Like judges and army chiefs, the AG are also appointed by the govt but they are supposed to prosecute the criminals in open courts or commissions. Why are some opposing the trial involving crown prince who does not even have a home (CJ's words) by NAB? What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Where is Islamic equality that the CJ has been talking about against the elected PPP leaders? Arsalan must be treated like a corrupt govt official who has made a 900 million empire in a few years of govt service or disservice. The opposite lawyer has every right to demand justice and it is up to the AG which way he goes.
Well and good, they should also investigate all the illegal dealings that his client has committed for the past so many years. Some one should remind the learned attorney that giving bribes and receiving it is illegal, it seems that both Mr.Riaz and Dr.Arsalan has committed crimes and above all Mr.Riaz is not known to be spending millions on people without expecting any benefits.What Mr.Riaz was doing to reach the Chief Justice through his son Dr.Arsalan and that is the thrust of all these shenanigans.It seems the whole society is corrupt to the core and it all starts from childhood.
Actually, for saving its skin, the government will try to resort to NAB and out of court settlement. Especially after Abdul Qadar being linked in Planted Interview Scam. If the investigation is carried out (Which i sincerely hope) by Attorney general, Malik Riaz and company will certainly be on the receiving end irrespective of charges being proven on Arsalan or not. He has at least admitted for attempting to bribe the judiciary. If the investigations are held impartially (which I least expect from this government), many other faces would also be unveiled
Zahid Bukhari being a lawyer for thr crook has No business to suggest who should or should not investigate
The case under consideration does not fall under the preview of anti-corruption rules, while it seems that it cannot also be investigated under Section 9 of NAB Ordinance due to some legal requirements that leave Section 162 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) as the only available option with a maximum punishment of three-year imprisonment. Section 9 of NAB Ordinance can only be resorted to when the accused is a government or bank official, public representative or he/she has plundered national exchequer, damaged public property of capital or committed large scale fraud with public.After the investigation, the punishment is awarded under Section 10, inquiry conducted under Section 18 and reference is filed under Section 24.
NAB can't investigate this particular case. It however can investigate how Riaz Thaikaydar became billionaire from an ordinary clerk. I have been trying to get my money back through NAB for last 5 years but every time they say that its not their mandate as the my money has been ingested by another person and that does no harm to national economy.
So in other words he wants his client to be investigated by NAB so that Dr. AC is proved guilty!
As regards the NAB Chief the saying goes ' the penny has just dropped '
Mr. Zahid Bukhari is not clear by himself, cant understand how he cited the clause of NAD Ordinance.