Arsalan Iftikhar case: ‘NAB can investigate, chairman has misunderstanding’

Bukhari says he is sure either NAB chief has misunderstanding or statement that NAB can't investigate case not his.


Sidrah Moiz June 15, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Zahid Bukhari, counsel of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, said on Friday that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) can investigate the financial impropriety case against Arsalan Iftikhar and that the NAB chief was “having a misunderstanding” about it, Express News reported.

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.

COMMENTS (9)

Mirza | 11 years ago | Reply

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.

Naeem Khan KS. | 11 years ago | Reply

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.

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