Asghar Khan case: FIA awaits detailed verdict to launch probe

FIA officials will most likely begin investigation into case when DG FIA Muhammad Anwar Virk returns to Pakistan.


Zahid Gishkori November 07, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


Top officials from the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Tuesday that they cannot launch an investigation into accused politicians in the Asghar Khan case until a detailed verdict is announced.


Last month, the Supreme Court held two retired military generals, Director General ISI Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani and Chief of Army Staff Gen (retd) Aslam Baig, responsible for bribing politicians in order to rig the 1990 general elections.

The apex court had directed the FIA to probe charges against Baig and Durrani for rigging the elections as well as an investigation into the accused politicians who were allegedly bribed by the two generals.

Officials told The Express Tribune on Tuesday that they cannot begin an investigation against the accused politicians on the Supreme Court’s interim order because it did not name any politicians accused of taking bribes from Durrani and Baig in the 1990 general elections.

However, the FIA Anti Corruption and Legal Branch wings can launch an investigation against military personnel under Act 1974 (VIII of 1975), which empowers investigators to conduct an investigation against any Pakistani citizen.

Senior FIA officials, currently waiting for further orders in the case, will most likely begin a formal investigation into the case when DG FIA Muhammad Anwar Virk returns to Pakistan. He is currently in Italy, along with interior minister Interior Minister Rehman Malik, representing Pakistan at the 81st Interpol General Assembly Ministerial Conference.

Officials associated with legal wing of FIA say that they have yet to receive copies of the interim order from the court. They are hoping to receive copies of the order before the DG FIA returns to Pakistan. They plan to kick off the investigation next week in light of the apex order.

Meanwhile, sources in the FIA told The Express Tribune that the three most senior officers, specifically Khalid Qureshi and Islamabad Zone’s Director Sajjad Haider will head the team to probe the allegations levelled against Baig and Durrani.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2012.

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