Dr Arsalan Iftikhar case: Riaz promises more evidence against CJ’s son

Insists he is not against the SC but against elements extorting bribes from businessmen.

ISLAMABAD:

Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz announced he will reveal more evidence against Dr Arsalan Iftikhar in the coming days.

Talking to Express News anchor Javed Chaudhry in his programme Kal Tak, Riaz maintained that he was not against the Supreme Court or any institution, but was fighting certain elements that are forcing the country’s business community to pay hefty bribes to ensure their businesses continue to function.

He maintained that while bribery existed everywhere in the world, in Pakistan it blocked every businessman’s way, adding that their projects were stalled by stay orders until they gave in to every official’s request.

Riaz claimed he has been tortured by the courts since 1996 which have propped up more than a hundred cases against him, his son and organisation. He added these included ‘baseless’ murder cases as well. When asked why he was being targeted, the businessman maintained he did not know.

Talking about Dr Arsalan, Riaz said Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry’s son had been provided the ‘five-star’ Suddle Commission, adding that this was absolutely unacceptable for him. He demanded investigation agencies probe Arsalan’s own assets ‘worth billions’. Riaz also demanded that the security protocol provided to CJ Chaudhry’s son be immediately withdrawn.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2012.