Some unanswered questions
Can attorney general, in his investigation of the matter, be expected to re-visit alleged link between Riaz and CJP?
To call the Supreme Court’s suo motu hearing into the Arsalan Iftikhar bribery scandal a cover-up would be unfair. After all, the Court has clearly said that if it is established that the son-in-law of business tycoon, Malik Riaz, did indeed pay for the foreign trips of the chief justice’s son, then the matter should be investigated by the attorney general of Pakistan. But, at the same time, the short order spends some time on the importance of the Court’s reputation and how it must be protected at all costs. While there is no denying that that is the case, and all Pakistanis would want to see that happen, the matter more at hand was whether Malik Riaz’s very serious allegations against Arsalan Iftikhar were true or not. They seem to have been relegated given that the short order dwells in some detail on the matter of the Court’s reputation being besmirched in the eyes of the general public. Furthermore, if the matter has now been passed on to the attorney general, with the short order declaring that the court and the chief justice stand absolved of any links with Malik Riaz, can the attorney general, in his investigation of the overall matter, be expected to re-visit the alleged link? The short order also cites Malik Riaz’s contention that the money he gave to Arsalan Iftikhar did not gain him any relief in the Court. For one, this still does not address the issue that perhaps the businessman was saying this because he felt this was the only way out of the mess that he himself had perhaps created.
Another question that remains is whether any inquiry will be initiated into checking how the son of the chief justice, in the space of four years, managed to build a business, which, by his own admission, is worth some Rs900 million. So far, this case has embroiled the judiciary, the media and politicians. The one institution that has been missing is the military. Senior retired officers have worked for Bahria Town and while that is no crime at all, there has also been close cooperation, at times, between that entity and various defence housing authorities, which are headed by senior serving officers. If there is to be a transparent investigation into all aspects of this matter, it should cover all facets.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 16th, 2012.
Your editorial well taken, the matter need to be thoroughly investigated and the culprits brought to justice. The players in this one act play are not just Mr. Bahria and the talented son but large number of people in positions of power(both civil and military, retired and serving), and obviously not to mention media (the so-called talk-show hosts). As far the retired Generals or civil bureaucrats working for government contractors, political scientists use a metaphor called "revolving door" where retired government employees are hired by contractors to have a friend in the court.
Every one should be asked and inquired in a same way as an ordinary man is called by the court as if a son is involved his father is called as well. We respect Chief Justice but he is also citizen of Paksiatn and father of Arsalan. He knows everything and he should, as brave he is in taking sou motos, tell the truth to the nation. Mr. Tycoon should also be lawfully treated. Justice must be on the top as we all respect justice not the persons.
.Arsalan should tell the nation as to how did he become a billionaire in four years when the economy of Pakistan was collapsing, big companies closing or merging, employees being shown the door to create a balance in spending and earning. Something is fishy and smells of impropriety. He was getting bussiness if one calls it so, not on merit but because of influence.
Now the subject is twisted by court and media. The simple question is how Arsalan made this much money in 4 years. This can be done by only using fathre's name If he had been a business man earlier and had done some cheating that is a different matter. In future all ministers sons will make money and it will be treated in the same way.
SC's Short Order absolving CJ without any investigation or evidence is ridiculous and is contradicted by SC's own statement in this Order that a person's guilt or innocence is only established by investigation and trial in the lower courts. So why not this is applicable for CJ, who because of his high judicial power is at the center of this corruption scandal. I'm not saying CJ is guilty but he cannot be excluded from inquiry and investigation along with other participants and witnesses for possible criminal violations. And finally who is Malik Riaz to give a clean bill of health to Ch Iftikhar. It's strange that the SC is relying on the good word of Malik Riaz whom the SC itself considers an accused.
Arslan name should be included in the Guinness book of world record as he earned 900 million in recession or in a third world country. Genius.
From 000 to 900 million with in 4 years what magic he knows that other businessmen does not know? Is he a inventor? What did he invent other than SC. his cash cow is riad Malik and alike?
Mirza you are right. Very immpotant valid points and must be answered.
CJ & his son are not clean. We cannot do anything about CJ as he is above the LAW. But the awam definitely needs answers to questions raised by Malik Riaz.
The Interview of Malick Riaz with Mr Luqman and Ms Mehr Bukhari was made controversial by some high trick of obtaining, off the record footage. But the questions raised by Mr Malick in the interview against CJ are still VALID especially Fourth Question.
My question is what was the deepest darkest secret of Malik Riaz that Arsalan Chaudry was able to blackmail him and MR had to dish out money....OR...why did Malik Riaz give bribe?!
Another biased and tainted editorial by ET.
Problem is that not "some" but ALL questions remain unanswered. What was the business of Arsalan Ch? Where is Ahmed Khalil and why he wasn't called to appear before the court? Why Arslan's accounts were never checked? Media was carrying all sorts of juicy snippets about the lifestyle of Arsalan and his father didn't know anythign about it?