ISLAMABAD: Real estate tycoon and Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz addressed media representatives in Islamabad on Tuesday DawnNews reported.

During the press conference, Riaz raised various questions on the transparency of Arsalan Iftikhar suo motu case and made claims that he met Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in the presence of his son, Arsalan Iftikhar. He said that the Chief Justice knew about the business dealings and should have taken suo motu action before the media broke this news.

He alleged that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met Iftikhar Chaudhry at Khalil Ahmed’s residence, who is considered to be an associate of Riaz.

He further admitted that he has been blackmailed as a businessman and said that, “I did not bribe anyone but was blackmailed. Blackmailers were assigned to follow me and I did not bribe anyone, my son-in-law did.”

Riaz concluded the press conference by saying that he will address the media representatives again after three days and will present important evidence.

Riaz's written statement

Earlier on Tuesday, Riaz submitted his official response in the Arsalan Iftikhar suo motu case and accused the chief justice’s son of accepting kickbacks and bribes worth over Rs340 million from him.

He further alleged that the money was used to fund Arsalan’s two separate foreign trips.

The statement submitted by Riaz said that Arsalan had assured him to be of assistance in different cases against Bahria Town pending in the courts. He claimed that he possessed ample evidence against the transactions that took place between himself and Arsalan.

He further alleged that Arsalan was accompanied by a woman on his trip to Monte Carlo. He claims to have bought the ticket for the woman whose identity Arsalan did not reveal at the time.

Riaz alleged that he paid over rupees 2500,000 for the apartment Arsalan rented in Monte Carlo and over rupees 3400,000 for rental cars.

Attorney General's clarification

Registrar of the Supreme Court Faqeer Hussain clarified that the meetings of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry were held at the time when the judiciary was deposed.

The registrar of the apex court said in his statement that Riaz had insisted the CJ to hold a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari.

The registrar said that the Justice Iftikhar met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the residence of Ahmed Khalil on the day of Eid. Adding that, he said that Justice Iftikhar’s other meetings with the prime minister were the demand of his legal responsibilities.

Court's proceedings 

A two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the notice.

The SC has been hearing the notice about the bribes allegedly given to the chief justice’s son by property tycoon Malik Riaz.

The suo motu notice had been taken after the rumours of the chief justice’s son’s shady business dealings with Riaz had become loud enough to make it to primetime television. After midnight on June 5, the court had announced the suo motu notice and the first hearing was held on Wednesday.

4:12 pm: The case’s hearing was adjourned to June 14.

4:08 pm: I don’t mind if the court forms a judicial commission, said Sardar Ishaq, representing Arsalan.

4:06 pm: Justice Khilji said: I do not make up my mind until the time I sign on the verdict.

4:04 pm: I believe that the court has already made up its mind on this issue, Bokhari said.

4:03 pm: A larger bench should be formed to hear the case, Bokhari requested the court.

4:02 pm: Bokhari said the court still has not directed that Arsalan’s business and financial records be produced.

4:00 pm: The financial and business records of my client are being asked for, Riaz’s counsel said.

3:41 pm: The court was not lenient towards Malik Riaz, Bokhari said.

3:40 pm: The court asked that if assurances were given to Ahmed Khalil and Salman Ahmed, how had Malik Riaz been deceived.

3:35 pm: The court said the confusion surrounding the idea of ‘assurance’ should be clarified.

3:32pm: Riaz said that Ahmed Khalil and Salman Ahmed had been assured that the cases would be taken care of.

3:21 pm: We want to reach the crux of matter, Justice Jawwad said.

3:20pm: I will prove through documentary evidence that my allegations hold truth, Riaz said.

3:16 pm: What allegations did Arsalan level against Riaz, the court inquired.

3: 15 pm: I never attempted to involve the judiciary or the judges in this issue, Riaz said.

3: 13 pm: Arsalan had made false accusations against Malik Riaz, Bokhari said.

3: 11 pm: Arsalan Iftikhar turned out to be an embarassment to the judiciary and to the chief justice.

3: 10 pm: Riaz said he respected all Supreme Court judges, including the chief justice.

3:05 pm: Zahid Bokhari, counsel for Malik Riaz, reading aloud his client’s statement in court.

2:54 pm: The bench directed the registrar office to bring Malik Riaz’s written statement.

2:53 pm: Arsalan Iftikhar and Malik Riaz were present in court for the hearing.