Riaz-Arsalan case: SC admits Malik Riaz’s petition against Suddle commission
Setting aside objections raised by the registrar, the apex court on Monday admitted a review petition of real-estate developer Malik Riaz against the formation of a one-man inquiry commission.
Malik Riaz, through his attorney Zahid Bokhari, had filed the review petition against a Supreme Court ruling in which it nominated federal tax ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle to investigate Malik Riaz’s allegations of financial impropriety against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, the son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
An apex court bench had already ruled in favour of an earlier review petition, filed by Dr Arsalan Iftikhar against the attorney general’s directions to the National Accountability Bureau to set up an investigation team.
The Supreme Court Registrar’s Office had returned Malik Riaz’s petition saying that two reviews could not be filed in the same case.
However, during Monday’s hearing, a two-judge bench, comprising Justice Jawad S Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, admitted the plea despite the registrar’s objections and set it for hearing on October 2.
Amending Rules
Meanwhile, Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on Monday convened a meeting of the PHC administrative committee to consider revision in rules after Malik Riaz’s request for extension in transitory bail could not be approved by the court due to the absence of the chief justice last Thursday.
Riaz’s counsel Afridi said, “Despite fact that Justice Miftahuddin, who is the most senior judge after Justice Khan, had marked his clients’ application to be heard by a single bench but the office failed to do it”, adding “it was quite regrettable when applications’ hearing could not take place in absence of the Chief Justice of the high court.”
The meeting will be held next week in which the administrative committee members will amend the court rules, said Justice Khan.
Malik Riaz sought an extension from the PHC when his bail, already extended by the Supreme Court, was about to expire on September 20. However, on Monday, Afridi withdrew his clients’ transitory bail application without citing any reason.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2012.
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1724268870-0/Supreme-Court-of-Pakistan-(2)1724268870-0-270x192.webp "govt busy playing appointment chess again")
Well its good for this case because mutual consent is required here which is provide by Apex its really good.
Mr Malik Riaz had submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court on Sept 11 to review the formation of the commission. Now SCP should listen both person then take right action
this is a only good sign in this case.now its seems that SC is working on merit.
so far its the 1st positive development in this case from SC's end and its duty as well to protect the rights of every citizen even if he is guilty. Next SC should hear the concerns of both parties and make sure to avoid biased behavior with Malik Riaz at least this time. Its a real test of SC's dignity & superiority.