Why FIA, NAB for generals, but one-man commissions for Arsalan: Riaz

Riaz alleges that Arsalan wants to see Bahria Town projects rolled back, and see the business tycoon put behind bars.


Sumaira Khan November 15, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Business tycoon Malik Riaz once again pitted himself in the eye of the storm on Thursday as he questioned why the Supreme Court had ordered Arsalan Iftikhar to be investigated by a one-man commission when the same court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe former army chiefs and ISI chiefs, on Express News show ‘Kal Tak’ with Javed Chaudhry.

Elaborating over the case in which he has been embroiled with Arsalan Iftikhar, the son of the chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chudhry, Riaz said he I did not know that videos were being made of Arsalan‘s paid visits. But, he claimed that ‘someone’ had given him the material and that it will be presented after sometime.

“I am about to reveal some astonishing evidences in the coming days that will shake the foundations of my opponents like 8.1 magnitude earthquake shook the high rises in Japan.”

The Bahria Town chairman though insisted that his case was not against the Supreme Court and that he had no intention to fight against any institution, but that he was compelled to do so.

Riaz said that he is against the “dons” that are compelling the business community in Pakistan to bribe them for the smooth functioning of businesses.

“Neither am I against the Supreme Court nor do I have power to do so, but I am fighting against these ‘dons’ for 20 years and want to expose them to the nation since we, the businessmen, are sick of them,” an angry Riaz said.

Riaz demanded that investigative agencies probe Arsalan’s assets which are worth billions of rupees and his employer status.

He also demanded that Protocols given to the chief justice’s son should be immediately withdrawn.

In contrast, Riaz said that he has his own private security guards and bears their cost. He added that he had offered to pay back the government when interior minister Rehman Malik deployed Rangers for his security after a firing incident on him in near Islamabad courts.

Trumped up charges

Riaz claimed that neither he nor his son had ever harmed a sparrow, but they have cases with murder charges registered against him.

He complained that their projects have been stalled through stay orders and that they are compelled to request each and every official to let their projects continue.

Riaz said he had started from zero and had built himself to the status he enjoys today because of his hard work.

However, since 1996, he has been tortured by courts through a myriad of ways from involving his son, his organisation and lastly against him personally with his name appearing in as many as 128 cases.

To a question Riaz said that he did not know why he is being targeted especially when he is not a tax evader or a black money supplier, unlike people in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Riaz alleged that what Arsalan wanted most was to see the Bahria Town projects rolled back, and see the business tycoon put behind bars.

“King maker”?

To a question on his moniker “King Maker,” Riaz denied any role in making governments and said that he never played such role and that despite having opportunities, never accepted offers to come into power.

The Bahria Town chief said that bribery is everywhere in the world but in Pakistan it is blocking the way of every businessman, he said adding,

Standing with the military

The Bahria Town chief who made a fortune doing business with the military, declared that he would always like to stand with the establishment and the military.

Riaz though claimed that Instead of taking care of the military, it was being insulted.

Riaz hinted that due to the non-availability of a system neither the army nor politicians could run the country but Asif Ali Zardari and Shahbaz Sharif could save Pakistan within two years, if only they joined forces.

COMMENTS (6)

Ashraf P | 11 years ago | Reply

Arsalan must not get special treatment. It demoralizes an entire nation. He may be the son of anybody.

Syed | 11 years ago | Reply

Mr Malik Riaz, concentrate on your case rather than pointing finger elsewhere, Provide the documents, provide the proof and prove yourself innocence. Brave and Honest men stand against all odd and not by making excuses and setting up fake talk shows - Let there be no doubt, had this case been opened in a western country - you would not have behaved like this, simply because the implication of laws may land you in further trouble rather than comfort or stupid poitning scoring.

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