SC rejects FIA DG’s apology

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Court directs Malik Iqbal to show progress in reposting of Zafar Qureshi after which his apology will be considered

By Hasnaat Malik

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court, on Monday, while rejecting the unconditional and unqualified apology of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general who left himself at the court’s mercy, observed that the explanation given by him was not satisfactory.

A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, which heard the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scandal, also observed that it would be cautious to write down anything for the time being against the officer who spoilt the whole investigation process of the case.

Appearing before the court on behalf of FIA DG Malik Iqbal, Makhdoom Ali Khan stated that Iqbal had never written that challans had been submitted and that recoveries had been made in the NICL case, adding that those words had been incorrectly attributed to him by the Establishment Division.

The CJP asked him to get these facts rectified and show progress in reposting of Zafar Qureshi, then the apology would be considered.

The CJP said, “It has become a routine to flout the court orders” and observed that whole investigation had been spoiled due to the transfer of Zafar Qureshi.

On the last hearing, the court had served contempt notice on Malik Iqbal for writing to the Ministry of Interior that challans had been submitted and the recoveries had been made. The Establishment Division on the basis of that letter issued a notification for transfer of Qureshi from the case.

The FIA DG in his written statement submitted, “I tender an unqualified and unconditional apology for any act or omission which may constitute or may be construed as constituting contempt of court and place myself entirely at the mercy of this court and most humbly seek its forgiveness. I also voluntarily state that I had not used these words in any other communication, either verbal or written, in respect of this matter. Being a senior officer and being fully conscious of the sensitivities of this case, I could not have dared using such loose and incorrect expressions.”

He further stated, “On April 29, 2011, well before the order passed by this court on May 10, 2011, I wrote to the interior secretary specifically requesting that the notification in question may be withdrawn and the earlier notification of January 24, 2011, be restored, so that Zafar Qureshi may complete the investigation as member of the FIA by adjusting him against the post of the FIA additional director general in addition to his present assignment.”

The court, while asking the FIA DG to show progress in reposting of Qureshi, adjourned the hearing until May 18.

Meanwhile, the court also admitted three petitions of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujahat Hussain and issued notices to respondents for May 18.