Probe into kidnapping of Sharifs’ accountant reactivated

FIA sources say it is payback for the arrest of close aides to Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif.

LAHORE:

The Punjab police have reactivated investigations into the abduction of a former accountant of the Sharif brothers, The Express Tribune has learnt – and according to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sources, the move is in retaliation for the federal government taking action against close aides of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif recently.

Earlier, on the direction of the FIA director general, cases were registered against Col (retd) Ehsanur Rehman (former chief of the Special Branch of the Punjab Police), Shahid Mahmood (director Special Branch), Tauqeer Shah (secretary to the chief minister), Talha Burki and two Crime Investigation Department officials.

They were accused of hatching a conspiracy to produce a fabricated intelligence report citing a plot to murder former Lahore High Court chief justice Khawaja Sharif. A judicial commission headed by Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Esa had previously declared the murder plot concocted.

In retaliation (according to FIA sources), FIA officials were summoned on Friday before the Model Town Investigation Superintendent in Lahore. The summoned officials include Assistant Director Jameel Ahmed Khan, Assistant Director Mir Haroon Rasheed and Sub Inspector Ghulam Murtaza Bajwa.

They were grilled in connection with investigations into the abduction of Muhammad Akram, the Sharif brothers’ former accountant.

Two other FIA officials who had already recorded their statements before the police’s investigation team were also grilled by the investigation officer, sources familiar with the matter stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2012.