‘False allegations’ MNA, top FIA officials put on notice

MNA Qadir Gilani seeking criminal action against PML-N legislator.

ISLAMABAD:

Top Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials have been asked to comment on a petition seeking criminal action against a parliamentarian. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also sought comments from the parliamentarian in question.

Abdul Qadir Gilani, Member National Assembly (MNA) and son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, petitioned the IHC on Wednesday that Pakistan Muslim League-N MNA Imran Ahmed Shah had levelled baseless allegations against him.

According to the petition, Shah had alleged that Gilani “smuggled” a bulletproof Land Cruiser from Dubai in 2009. Shah had made these allegations while he was a member of a committee constituted to probe allegations in the Hajj scam, said the petition. A subsequent probe the FIA found Gilani innocent and that the vehicle was legally imported, the petition said.

Gilani then filed an application in a sessions court against Shah for making false accusations against him. However the court dismissed his application.

Through his latest petition, Gilani is now seeking the IHC to set aside the sessions court order and to start criminal proceedings against Shah.

Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi issued notices to the Sessions Judge (West), Senior Civil Judge, FIA Assistant Director Niamat Ali, FIA Director Hussain Asghar and Shah, giving them until January 23 to reply. The next hearing will be on January 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2012.