LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court on Friday ordered the Federal Investigation Agency to seize the assets of Asim Malik, the owner of a visa consultancy firm, and submit to the court details of the assets.
Hearing several identical petitions against the accused, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi also summoned Kohsar (Islamabad) station house officer for not cooperating with the investigation team of the FIA in arresting the accused.
FIA director and members of the investigation team told the court that raids were being conducted at many hotels of Islamabad to arrest Malik, CEO of Future Concerns. However, he was still at large. They also told the court that the Kohsar SHO had refused to assist the investigation team.
Petitioner’s counsel alleged that Rehman Malik and other influential persons of Islamabad had been protecting the CEO. The counsel further pointed out that the offices of the accused had still not been sealed in spite of directions issued to the effect by the court.
Justice Naqvi remarked that the court will not succumb to any pressure and directed the FIA officials to immediately seal all the offices of the accused. He adjourned further hearing till November 14.
Earlier the FIA officials tendered an unconditional apology in response to show cause notices issued to them for their failure to arrest the accused.
The petitioners had pleaded that they had given money to the company’s chief executive officer for going abroad but they had neither been sent abroad nor their money returned.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2012.
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