“Yes I am back from the United States,” he told The Express Tribune by phone, adding: “I was not absconding at all; I had gone to the US to deliver a lecture”.
The provincial minister for information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, told a news conference on Thursday that his government will approach Interpol to get the custody of the former inspector-general (IG).
An accountability court had summoned Malik Naveed for a hearing scheduled for December 1.
“Yes I will appear before the court on the appointed date,” Malik said.
It is alleged that Malik Naveed made millions, misusing his powers while recruiting hundreds of soldiers into the Frontier Constabulary. He is also accused of making millions in an arms purchase deal worth Rs6 billion which was struck with a Chinese firm during his tenure. Some top government functionaries are also accused as collaborators and beneficiaries.
Hundreds of soldiers were recruited to curb militancy in Swat. At the same time arms were also purchased to counter the rising trend of militancy in the province.
Malik Naveed admitted that he had “relaxed recruitment rules and procedure”.
“When 50 to 60 per cent of FC soldiers deserted us in Buner and Swat after the Taliban (launched an) offensive and when 22 FC soldiers were killed in a (single) day and police stations were set on fire by militants, we were faced with a very difficult and challenging situation,” he said while defending his decision to recruit soldiers in violation of rules. “I was left with no option,” he added.
“Those who have lodged a reference against me in the NAB court had lost their nerve when the government lost its writ because of the deteriorating law and order situation in Swat. These people used to tell me to relax recruitment rules and procedure,” he alleged, referring to the provincial government.
According to opposition political parties, provincial Chief Minister, Ameer Haider Hoti and a few other influential persons are also said to have received a “share” in the arms deal.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party-Sherpao, Pakistan Muslim League-N and other opposition leaders, who are trying to malign the provincial government, are the ones who are trying to scandalise the arms deal,” Naveed replied when asked to identify elements behind the move to question the transparency of the deal.
“There are a few other people involved in the move, who fear that I may get an extension in my services before my retirement,” he said, perhaps referring to Fayaz Toru who replaced him as the provincial IG police.
Naveed said that an 18-member board, comprising senior police and provincial government officials, including Fayaz Toru, were part of the deal. “How could I force all of them to agree to my choice?” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ