Ahead of elections: Two former premiers face legal trouble

SC questions Gilani’s exemption from Hajj corruption case inquiry.


Our Correspondent April 10, 2013
A file photo of former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD:


The two former premiers of the previous PPP-led coalition government – Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf – might be in trouble.


The Supreme Court directed Gilani on Tuesday to submit his response over his exemption from investigation into the Hajj corruption case, while hinting Gilani’s successor Raja Ashraf could be summoned for appointing his son-in-law to a key post.

While hearing the Hajj corruption case, the court also directed Attorney General Irfan Qadir and the law secretary to submit their responses over Gilani’s exemption from investigation. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, specifically asked the law secretary to explain why the investigation officer was asked to drop inquiry against Gilani.

The bench directed Gilani to either appear in person or have a lawyer represent him in the court to explain his position on whether or not he could be questioned over his alleged role in the corruption case.

The court focused on the information provided by FIA’s Additional Director General Hussain Asghar, according to which the law ministry had barred him from questioning Gilani when he was the prime minister.

The bench also directed the law secretary to submit the ministry’s ‘opinion’ which was given to the FIA investigator, on the next date of hearing. The case was adjourned for two weeks.

Asghar had earlier informed the court that he wanted to question Gilani for appointing Rao Shakeel as the director general of the Hajj mission in Saudi Arabia in violation of rules and regulations. Rao is accused of renting costly residences for pilgrims in 2010.

Asghar added that Faiz Ahmed Cheema, the alleged front-man of former religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi was in Saudi Arabia and is yet to be arrested.

Justice Chaudhry remarked that the interim interior minister should contact the Saudi authorities as both countries have an extradition treaty for handing over the offenders.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also hinted at summoning former prime minister and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in a case of appointing his son-in-law Raja Azeemul Haque to a post in the World Bank.

Justice Saqib Nasir said that using his discretionary powers Ashraf had misused his position by appointing his son-in-law to a key post.

Taking suo motu notice of a media report, the apex court had requested the submission of all records regarding Haque’s nomination.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2013.

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