ISLAMABAD:
After the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s interview with Malik Riaz on Friday, a decision has been made to send a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.
The aim of the JIT is to collect evidence in connection with alleged business deals between Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain amounting to between Rs300 to Rs400 million, NAB officials told The Express Tribune.
NAB chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari has decided to broaden the scope of the investigation on the basis of fresh evidence provided by Malik Riaz to the JIT. Investigators say they will examine the case from a money laundering perspective as well, deeming it necessary to probe offshore bank accounts in the UK
and UAE.
On Friday, Malik Riaz was examined by members of the JIT at NAB’s headquarters. Riaz gave a recorded statement with documented evidence against Dr Arsalan, alleging that he was blackmailed into spending millions of rupees on the Chief Justice’s son.
Riaz has been given a detailed questionnaire which is to be returned to the investigative team by July 24.
The real estate magnate has sought further time to provide additional documentation and other evidence to refute allegations of questionable and illegal transactions against him.
Dr Arsalan skeptical of NAB, FIA’s impartiality
The JIT has summoned Arsalan Iftikhar Chaudhary, Salman Ahmed and Ahmed Khalil on July 23 (Monday) to record their statements as well. However, in a six-page letter written to the NAB chairman – a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune – Dr Arsalan expressed serious reservations over the conduct of attorney general Irfan Qadir, and his distrust in NAB and the Federal Investigation Agency to carry out investigations into the matter.
In his letter, Dr Arsalan, through his counsel Sardar Ishaq, termed Qadir’s move of writing a letter to NAB, asking it to initiate the financial scam probe “biased”. “It was a mala fide intention on the part of the attorney general to suggest a joint investigation team of his own choice, transgressing the limits set by the apex court”, he added. Inspectors General Police Islamabad Capital Territory and Punjab have been asked to ensure service of notices on all individuals summoned on Monday.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (13)
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@Mirza: 100% agree with you
There should be through investigations regarding the proofs provided by Riaz Malik against Prince Arsalan. The whistle blower Malik has given all the expense proofs of gambling, travelling, boarding, lodging, and shopping of extended family of CJ. The NAB should take a remand of all culprits involved and bring them to justice. When these same judges can keep Zardari and Gilani in jail for decades without proving even a single charge, why not prosecute the prince to the full extent of the law to prove Islamic equality for all? When the decades old fake cases against BB cannot be forgiven or forgotten even after her death and PCO SC still pushing them then why be soft on Prince Arsalan?
LET Justice done even if heaven fall (be it on zardari, nawaz or iftikhar choudry)
I only trust my mummy daddy courts . . .LOL!!!!
Cry for the justic of your choice? Otherwise it is not fare. Dr. Must feel the heat of 300-400 millions now, secessful son must explain to every one including to his father who earned his respect so difficultly. Come forward pay back all the collection, ask for pardon, I am sure nation and SC will pardon you.
Arsalan should write a book and share his success story with the young people of Pakistan. After is this recession laden 2.5% growth economy he managed to set up a Rs. 900 million company!
@SM: @Zafar Sultan: And the claims of honesty look even shallower if someone makes false claims to bag multiple plots!
World tours on public money. NAB spent lot of money during 1996-1999 on foreign tours for nothing. Peoples of Pakistan did not receive a single penny from those investigation - Good luck GUYS- Have nice summer vacation on public money
@Zafar Sultan: Sir, Honest Judges after Familygate???
Mr JIBRAN, If Head of SATATE IS INNOCENT HE SHOULD NOT WORRY WRITING LETTER AND u should not object. U have so much hate against Judiciary anfd Honest Judges, nothing better can be exoected of u.
If CJ can choose Larger or small bench of his own choice why not AG!!!
May be there is not any Contempt of AG like Contempt of court ????
@Jibran: Yeah, only ----- IF !