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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Attorney General of Pakistan (AG) to consult the government over issue of dissociating director general Federal Investigation Agency from supervising the alleged corruption matter in Hajj arrangements and submit a report with the Registrar office.
A five-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil ur Rehman Ramday took up the suo motu case for hearing.
The Chief Justice in his verbal direction said that deputed director investigation FIA Hussain Asghar should proceed to Saudi Arabia to complete the task.
The Chief Justice showing his dissatisfaction over performance of DG FIA Wasim Ahmed told Attorney General Molvi Anwar ul Haq to tell the government to dissociate him of all the cases as he would spoil them.
He said the tenure security for officials of such force was necessary as the people appointed on contract like DG FIA would not deliver independently.
DG FIA Wasim Ahmed submitted a recorded statement of Minister for Interior Rehman A. Malik regarding removal of former DG Haj operations Rao Shakeel's name from the Exit Control List.
The CJ read out the recorded statement in which the Minister admitted that he had directed secretary ministry of interior for the removal of his name under government's policy and in accordance with Establishment division directive.
He clarified his position regarding claims made by Azam Khan Swati, former minister, alleging that former official's name was removed from ECL upon a single SMS of the minister concerned.
The minister in the recorded statement said that it was the term SMI (secretary ministry of interior) and not SMS as claimed.
The minister also stated that Shakeel Rao was appointed by the competent authority.
The Chief Justice questioned whether the minister knew that the man was facing trial Wasim apprised that he had written to secretary Establishment division asking him to inform him about the pressures regarding appointment of Rao Shakeel but in his reply he maintained that his appointment was in accordance with law.
Secretary ministry of Religious Affairs Shaukat Hayat Durrani to bench's query replied that six banks would disburse an amount of 700 Riyals to per pilgrim. There were a total of 26,660 beneficiaries.
To another question, he said that amount of 250 Riyals from the Saudi government was released to 13,000 people.
The Chief Justice lauded his efforts and said that he did not hush up things, for which they appreciate him and the government.
Director FIA Hussain Asghar apprised the bench that they had carried investigation in eight banks but could not find accounts owned by Rao Shakeel, Hamid Saeed Kazmi etc.
He said the State Bank of Pakistan was in the process of checking other banks as well.
At the outset of proceedings, Afnan Kundi, counsel for Azam Khan Swati sought permission of the bench to submit additional two-page reply over the issue.
Upon bench's permission, he read out contents of the document saying that his client had provided details of the bank accounts of accused persons but the SBP was not cooperating.
He objected the delayed departure of director investigation FIA to Saudi Arabia.
He said that his client had also provided telephone numbers upon which contacts were made between Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Ahmed Faiz, an accused in the case who was residing in Saudi Arabia.
Swati in his statement also claimed that Rao Shakeel was facing two NAB cases and the secretary establishment division should be directed to explain as to why he was appointed over the post.
Sardar Abdul Latif Khan Khosa, counsel for Hamid Saeed Kazmi stood up and said that director FIA would be soon leaving for Saudi Arabia.
He explained that it was SMI, an abbreviation for secretary ministry of interior and not SMS which was attributed to Rehman A. Malik.
Justice Khalil ur Rehman Ramday feeling a bit annoyed with DG FIA's performance remarked “When investigators and defenders became protectors of culprits, then God bless us all.”
He asked secretary religious affairs to look into the issue as to why 90 Riyals charged from each pilgrim in Mena during 2009 was surged to 700 Riyals in the year 2010.
The Chief Justice lamented that due to such corruption the government had to refund the money. He remarked that there was no other bigger corruption case in the country.
Justice Ghulam Rabbani questioned DG FIA, the government had to refund and what would become of those who embezzled it! Further hearing was adjourned till January 20. – APP
