Under court order: JIT probing Arsalan case dissolved
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday dissolved the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) which was tasked to probe the allegations of under-the-table deals between the chief justice’s son Dr Arsalan and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz.
In reference to the Supreme Court’s earlier stay order on the investigation, NAB Prosecutor General KK Agha informed the two-judge bench, comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, that the decision of dissolving the bureau’s special team was made after consultations with the chairman of NAB.
“The close connection of Rural Superintendent Police (SP) Faisal Bashir Memon was proved right while investigating Dr Arsalan’s apprehensions over the JIT,” Agha said. “The bureau does not doubt the credibility of Memon but it is for the greater good that we form a new investigation team.”
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar had filed a review petition against the court’s earlier order, which directed the Attorney General (AG) Irfan Qadir to set state machinery in motion to probe the alleged financial transactions between Riaz’s son-in-law and Dr Iftikhar.
Dr Arsalan’s counsel Sardar Ishaq had argued an inherent bias on part of the investigators since the inquiry team included SP Memon, who had served as Malik Riaz’s security guard during his appearance before the apex court.
Ishaq had also argued that the AG had a personal vendetta against the chief justice and was biased against his client, citing an earlier letter written by Qadir to NAB’s chairman.
During the proceedings, Riaz’s counsel Zahid Bukhari requested the bench to direct the lower courts to stop hearing cases of his client until the matter was decided in the Supreme Court.
“Because of this case, lower courts are expeditiously hearing cases against my client [Riaz],” complained Bukhari. However, Justice Khawaja rejected the plea.
Meanwhile, Justice Hussain expressed shock over the four weeks protective bail granted to the real estate tycoon by the Sindh High Court.
“How did he manage to get four weeks protective bail,” asked Justice Khilji to which Bukhari replied: “If it was Punjab, we would have never been able to get the bail”.
Later the court maintaining the status quo, adjourned the case for two weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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Was all those sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan to see this type of nepotisms and favoritism to be shown to somebody just because he happens to be the son of a person who holds the key to power and justice. Injustice will perish.
Unelected paid govt servants on extension can do anything they want for themselves and their families with impunity. When it comes to the elected govt these PCO judges are all "men of principles" and punish them to the full extent of their powers and promptly as well. There is an open contempt and hatred against the elected leaders of the country among high judiciary. There are no two judges benches unless they are sure the decision can never be 1:1 or a mistrial. The benches are always odd number judges so the just and honest decisions can be made independently. In the PCO court there is no such independence and every brother is on the same page.
I wish they had these consultations when NAB was investigating Rental Power, FIA investigating Huj Scam, ANF investigating Ephedrine Case.
Let the baby have few more trips since daddy isn't going any where till the end of 2013. Have nice trips baby!!!
Wah CJ wah
your end is nearing .
"The close connection of Rural Superintendent Police (SP) Faisal Bashir Memon was proved right while investigating Dr Arsalan’s apprehensions over the JIT,” Agha said.
So finally it proves govt.'s agenda! Very balanced and sensible decision by the court.
law is relaxed for Son of the Law, but not for Malik . . . . !!!!
Nepotism in action.
“How did he manage to get four weeks protective bail,” asked Justice Khilji to which Bukhari replied: “If it was Punjab, we would have never been able to get the bail”.
"Ishaq had also argued that the AG had a personal vendetta against the chief justice and was biased against his client, citing an earlier letter written by Qadir to NAB’s chairman." Can this be one sided? That says all about our Judiciary these days. They all are sailing in the same boat and has compromised justice for political reasons.
Reminds me of Lion King where father is safe guarding his son... Good going CJ... Selective justice is the way we operate and in Pakistan corrupt always win
CJP is a caring daddy......