SC reserves judgement in Arsalan Iftikhar case
A two-member bench headed by Justice Jawad S Khwaja heard the case today.
Following media reports that Dr Iftikhar had received between Rs300 and Rs400 million from Riaz to influence judicial proceedings, the chief justice had taken suo motu notice and had summoned him and Bahria Town’s chief.
Dr Iftikhar’s counsel, Sardar Ishaq, while presenting his arguments before the court said that business tycoon Malik Riaz is an influential person in Islamabad.
Ishaq requested the court that a judge should be tasked to inquire about the allegations levelled against his client. Taking a jibe at Ishaq’s statement, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that if Ishaq did not trust anyone, should the court then call someone from abroad.
Responding to Justice Hussain’s remark, Ishaq said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is an objective organization, but the chairman of NAB cannot carry an impartial investigation.
I want transparent investigation: Dr Iftikhar
Speaking to the media on the premises of the Supreme Court, Dr Iftikhar said he wanted a transparent investigation which is “as clear as glass”.
Complaining about the joint investigating team in the case, Dr Iftikhar said that he had concerns regarding how the team was constituted and how the members were selected.
Dr Iftikhar said that the way Riaz’s son-in-law, Salman Ahmed, had sent out a text message claiming that he was facing security threats in Pakistan was incorrect and that he did not “even recognise Ahmed by face.”
‘Only NAB can hear the case’
Riaz’s counsel Zahid Bukhari said that lawfully, only NAB can hear the case, as all the financial impropriety cases are investigated by the bureau.
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Mr Arsalans company website containing his dealings mentions the prominent Telecom companies but not his real estate ventures (since there is no denial so he must have done some realestate business). It is also important to mention that most of the companies mentioned have or had cases in the higher judiciary. Someone from the previous government once explained to me that "the CJ used to squeeze us when he didn't get his way". On further enquiry, it was explained that if someone didn't listen to his sifarish, he would get a case registered against that person and then take it up in the court. I think Riaz also meant this when he used the word "screw" and the same thing must have happened to the Telecom companies & bank mentioned on this page: http://fae.com.pk/business.html. I would love if someone from ET picks this up to investigate further.
Reserved indefinitely... For their opponents, they immediately issue short orders, even making a person serve the sentence before the complete order is announced. Sickening! I just threw up in my mouth after reading the news.
why reserving? Is that such a complex case?? Ridiculous..
SC is paying heed to outrageous arguments in the court.
"Chairman NAB's daughter was working for Malik Riaz". But weren't the judges already saying about the CJ, that the father is not responsible for the actions of the son? "Investigative officer was seen with Malik Riaz in a video footage". But how the judges considered a stolen property of the SC (surveillance video) as admissible? Who was involved in the stealing? Registrar SC? Any action against him? "Stay in the investigative process". But investigation is only the first step. Court will need to examine the evidence collected in this step. Why stop the entire team from going to London? Why not start with a commission? Instead of wasting nation's time with all this gimmickry? Why protect a dishonest person, who lied in the court as Faisal Raza Abidi says and Mohammad Malik Admitted. Or is that is hammam mein sab naangay hein.Hamid Kazmi spent more than a year behind bars only because the father of the Don considered the testimony of Swatti to be credible. Why not apply the same yardstick here.
Investigation is only the first step. The case would come back to the court, which can then decide if the evidences put forward are credible or not. If the uncles continue to interfere with the investigative process, then it will prove there are two set of laws. One for the common people, and the other for the powerful. And who is more powerful in this country than the mighty CJ and his family?
This judiciary needs over haul. The judges at apex are biased and will favor their own interests as in the past. President Musharraf was right in removing this judge as at his time same allegations were resurfacing.
Yet all Mullahs such as Jamat-e-Islami etc. were supporting the corrupt ones.
Enough is enough. CJ must resign.
with his son appearing and ridiculing the legal system in the courts ,,,mr chaudhry has no moral right to stay in his chairl. he must RESIGHN for the sake of Suprem court
"as clear as glass"
Yeah right The Heir Apparent !! It will be as clear as murky water in your case.. :)
Tens of millions in a few years ! And you want us mere mortals to believe that you got it all through your Rs 30,000 / month job ;)
Good one Doc !!
NOW i know where the dear CJ has been busy all along while there are other seriously dangerous things like numberous sectarian killings have been taking place right under his nose. too busy to try to clean up his image. if his son gets convicted, it helps CJ's image, if not, it helps too. The million dollar question is, what will happen to the money his son laundered and how the damage would be repaired. Is CJ going to issue an apology to the nation for this? i for one would like to recieve it.
Need approval from the Ring Leader . . . ????