The government and its allies have decided that an expeditious and impartial inquiry would be conducted into a case of financial irregularities involving real-estate magnate Malik Riaz and the chief justice’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar.
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its coalition partners met late Saturday night and discussed various issues, including what is now widely known as the Familygate scandal and the prime minister’s conviction in a contempt case.
At the huddle, the coalition partners termed reports of the government’s involvement in the high-profile case baseless and unfounded.
On Friday, the full court of the Supreme Court observed that the Youtube video of off-air clips of a ‘planted’ TV interview of Malik Riaz was indicative of a pre-planned conspiracy against the judiciary.
In a statement after the meeting, presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the coalition partners called for an ‘expeditious and impartial inquiry’ into the case involving Riaz and Dr Arsalan in accordance with the Supreme Court verdict.
PM’s fate
“The meeting appreciated the resolution passed by parliament endorsing the decision of the speaker [of the National Assembly] against sending a reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan under Article 63(2) of the Constitution for the disqualification of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani,” said the statement.
“The speaker represents the dignity of the house,” reads the statement which conveyed the ruling coalition’s message.
The Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have already challenged the speaker’s ruling in the apex court.
On Friday, the Supreme Court questioned whether a convicted person could still be the chief executive of the country even from a prison cell.
Legal experts believe the court was likely to decide the matter next week. And the scenario prompted the ruling coalition to sit together and chalk out a ‘post-judgment strategy’.
Sources said that the meeting, which was co-chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani, discussed all the available options.
In addition to the heads of the coalition parties, Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah and Law Minister Farooq H Naek were also in attendance.
Sources in the PPP told The Express Tribune that the leadership has directed its parliamentarians to ensure their presence in the capital during the coming few days in order to deal with any decision against the government.
It is because of the apex court hearing that the government has decided to send Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar instead of PM Gilani to a conference in Brazil. And it is because of this case that the government has wrapped up the budget session of the National Assembly which was supposed to end on June 21.
While discussing the post-verdict scenario, two options were examined by the participants of the meeting. According to the first option, the allied partners discussed an alternate candidate and their ability to elect him if PM Gilani is disqualified. Any differences within the ruling coalition in this regard were asked to be addressed.
The meeting was attended by leaders of PML-Q, MQM, ANP and members from FATA.
(with additional reporting by QAMAR ZAMAN)
Published In The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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I just can't wait to hear how my hero Arslan Iftikhar managed to amass Rs. 900m in four years. He is such an inspiration to all us young wannabes!
The political stability is more essential than the judicial stability in the national interest at this crucial juncture . When the govt. is enjoying majority at the floor of assembly and the speaker of the assembly finds Gilani suitable for the post of PM then the order of the court passed by PCO judges working under the leadership of CJ having doubtful integrity has no value and should be quashery the president .
The rule of corruption is so much prevalent that it has infested top to low and all around. There is no faith ----an independent and fair,transparent inquiry can be done and trusted
There should be an independent inquiry in the whole affair with no hold barred. The family of both the parties be fully interrogated to the full extent of the law. A low level govt official who was in Police in four years becomes a billionaire and the whole family takes lavish trips yet they all claim to be innocent. How one can get so rich and work his own business while in govt service? These corrupt officials are paid to work at the job and not make money under the table. With that kind of quick money let us see how much tax has been paid? All beneficiaries be brought out in the open and punished.
The CJ took action against his son when he learnt that his son may have violated the law
His son is an adult therefore, CJ is not responsible for his conduct.
The only way fingers can be pointed at the CJ is if proven he knew from months what was going on and failed to react.
Whether Riaz is guilty or not has to be proven in court.
Till the courts decide we need to hold back our opinions and prove that we believe in rule of law and not rule of rumours and accusations
A bigger issue here is the survival of Supreme Court as an independent institution and the coming weeks will show, what steps are take to make sure it does!
@Victory for Society: What an nalysis must appreciate.
Government of the day is asking for inquiry.....this is the government job....if they want a judicial one....the process still have to initiated by the government.
It must be ascertained if the CJ is involved in this corruption scam or not. If he is found to have known about his family's corruption and hid it then the case should be referred to the Supreme Judicial Council.
we saluate the honesty of SC judges, they are the last hope for pakistani's
When whole soceity becomes sick nothing can be cured. It will be a futile exercise. SC previously made commissions, passed judgements what are the results and where are the changes. An other attempt by the government to burrie the case in some unkown celler. NAB not in a mood to touch the case. FIA is left. Might be under Interior department an engineered arrangement/agreement will be reached.
If we go through and through, may find reasonable result.
Scenes were filmed,it mean,under a planned mission pointed figure was being targeted.
Inquiry commission has been constituted,wait the findings.
@Saleem: If no one takes action civilians should take justice in their own hands enough is enough
@H.A. Khan: But who will clean up the system!! We have to do it.
The matter has been polarised so much that the result of the inquiry will not be accepted to Arsalan Iftikhar and the decision of court to Riaz Malik.
Please clean up the entire system of corruption and let there be accountability be it politicians,journalist, generals,judges,bureaucrats, and businessmen etc. Unless this is done quickly and in fair and transparent manner,ordinary citizen will loose hope and you could have civil strife in near future.
Planned conspiracy ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,may be, documentary evidence including video footage ,,,,,,,,,,,documents never speak lie .
State actors''s involvement.........................................possibility exist .
Any foreign elements want to create unrest fulfilling their particular designs...very important question.
What should we do as a nation in such circumstances.......................play due role and finish all conspiracies being hatched by hidden enemies of our home land.