National Accountability Bureau (NAB) workers will begin a pen-down strike across the country from Monday onwards in protest over the mysterious death of their colleague Kamran Faisal, The Express Tribune has learnt.
In a meeting at the bureau’s Rawalpindi office on Sunday, more than 30 officers, ranging from the rank of assistant director (AD) to director general (DG) said the strike would continue until NAB implemented the Supreme Court’s (SC) January 15 order, which
called for the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others accused in the rental power case.
The officers also resolved to appear before the SC hearing on January 23 to submit all information sought by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
The meeting was presided over by newly reinstated NAB Rawalpindi DG Col (retd) Subeh Sadiq. Sadiq, who had been sent on forced leave, was reinstated following an SC order so that he could appear before the court on January 23.
In a text conversation with The Express Tribune, the NAB officers claimed that Faisal was murdered, probably by those involved in the rental power plants (RPPs) scandal.
They maintained that his (Kamran’s) “room had an auto-locking mechanism; the lights were switched off as well… His feet still touched the table, the loop around his neck was loose… He never used any medication for depression and he had sound faith in Allah… He was against suicide”.
The officers said they would not rest until all culprits were behind bars, adding that the strike would continue until the NAB chairman issued warrants for arresting the accused in the RPPs case. They also rejected the newly constituted judicial commission, asking that it either be headed by Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman Ramday instead of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal or the Federal Investigation Agency DG form a joint investigation team to probe the case.
NAB spokesperson Zafar Iqbal Khan said a pen-down strike was not the best way to register a protest.
“The entire bureau is traumatised by Faisal’s untimely death,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. Zafar added that NAB had no objection to any independent inquiry into the case.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS (18)
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@Jibran: Some body has to take a stand. If you continue to think this way, then only the criminals have the rights
What judicial inquiry ? Truth will never come out.
@Jibran: Amazing. You can't be a liberal. Taliban?
It is indeed a most serious issue. The point to be noted among others is that the government could have simply gotten him transferred so clearly there are other forces in action here. One must not forget that NAB took a fiercely pro-government stance in the last RPP hearing in fact they told Supreme Court to back off and let them do their job. The killers must be brought to justice, but the widespread implication that government is behind the act sounds implausible.
The NAB chairman Admiral FB and SC should get to the bottom of it. All the facts should come out before we make up our minds. If we do not believe in ex-naval chief and the whole SC then only God can save Pakistan.
@Ben: Mind you buddy, that the other party can blame any replacement as anti-government. Its a pity that our higher judiciary decisions and remarks have left controversial impression, even within legal fraternity and some senior most law officers.
The large no of deputationists from different organizations who dunt even know the ABC of investigation are being brought in by the corrupt Politicians just for their corruption these deputationists have never been posted or appointed they are either on Contract in a semi government organization or others who have done huge corruptions in their previous departments i dunt think Chief Justice is also interested in nibbing out this deputation process ....
If this is what it takes to get justice then so be it. The civil society and all stake holders must ensure that justice is done and the culprits exposed and punished. Inequality and injustice are the two destroyers of any nation.
@ Jibran & Atif - A murder or a suicide is a serious issue. Rather than making fun of NAB officials who are threatening to go on strike we all should demand an independent inquiry from a powerful committee acceptable to all parties. Else the issue would always remain shrouded with mystery and suspicion. An investigation officer assigned to find evidence against a ruling Prime Minister found hanging in his room with his laptop missing is no joke.
@Basit: @Omer: @Padishah: @Jibran:
If the legal fraternity, custodians of the law are put to the sword by cold-blooded killers, how long can this state of shambles continue without saying, "enuff is enuff." let them escape to the western capitals, THEY WILL BE BROUGHT BACK. Salams 2013
The strike is a good move but then they should really go out and dig information about RPP scam and produce evidence in court.This will be a good message to those who played foul.
Bravo, May Allah bless you all ( NAB OFFICERS ) you took Stand for a right cause. Regards imran
@Jibran: Even Taliban should go on strike to protest against liberal PPP misrule.
Good move by NAB workers. If SC order is not implemented, they should protest. This guy was one of them, and it could be anyone of them next.
The end is near when custodians of law go on strike. In this case they have a solid reason as their own lives are at risk. Any person wishing to give evidence is bumped-off by the mafia ruling Pakistan. How long can this prevail???
Javed Iqbal is very accommodating pro-government judge. His ver appointment clearly indicates what is the real intent behind appointing this commission.
what a joke the country has become. Soon the Army officers, soldiers, and policemen will also go on strike to demonstrate solidarity with whoever.
Murder most foul!