SOME in Pakistan are confused by the recent events, not quite sure which side of the divide they should join. Some read newspapers or/and follow one TV channel or the other to form an opinion.

Should they believe that ‘Malik Riaz is the villain of this soap opera’ and Arsalan Ifthikhar the innocent gullible child of the Chief Justice who was trapped by a vicious and ensnaring business tycoon?

Or, should they believe that Arsalan Ifthikhar is, in fact, the spoilt son of a father in very high position, fell into bad company, chose the wrong friends and went astray.

There are still others like me who are angry and indeed very angry. Why? Because, whether the Chief Justice is personally involved or not, this is the second time he and his son have become the centre of a major controversy.

The CJ’s son would at best have been cautioned or lightly punished and the CJ would have been more careful in terms of monitoring his personal affairs.

As things stand today, he has failed in doing so. Whether he is culpable or otherwise is not relevant. The fact of the matter is that ‘boulders not stones’ are being thrown at him. It cannot be that he and because of him the Supreme Court of Pakistan will not be damaged.

We need not go into the background details of what has happened. It is there in the media.

For the sake of brevity I will not repeat it. The allegations are profound.

The only honourable course for the CJ is to resign. This is the only way to save the reputation of the apex court.

All other suggestions being given by biased or politiciced anchors will not wash off the damage which will be impossible to undo, if more time is wasted.

The strategy adopted by a leading newspaper, PML N and some anchors to divert the blame to Malik Riaz by challenging his credibility, is a well - known ploy which lawyers like Aitizaz Ahsan, Asma Jahangir and others in the judiciary have used once too often. The people cannot be fooled by them.

Some have suggested that a commission should be formed. Why not? But if this offence had been committed by an ordinary person, a Hamid Saeed Kazmi, a politician or a even a general’s son, would the treatment have been the same. I have my doubts.

SHAMS Z. ABBAS Lahore

Arsalan or Malik Riaz case?

DR Arsalan Iftikhar’s case should aptly be called the Malik Riaz case as he has been the chief architect and principal instigator of the whole scam. So far it seems just a matter of the pot calling the kettle black.

He is making allegations against Arsalan Iftikhar of fraud, extortion and blackmailing, having admitted the fact of his own involvement in the case as an equal participator, besides trying to influence the apex court to get some cases decided in his favour.

That is, however, a serious crime which is tantamount to the obstruction of justice.

Pointing the finger at the CJ by an ambiguous past reference and innuendos at the press conference, Malik Riaz has let the cat out of bag. Unlike the statement submitted in the SC, he targeted the person of CJ. There can be witnessed great contradictions and inconsistencies in his statements.

He may be asked if he has separated himself with the affairs of Bahria Town in 2008, then in what capacity has he been trying the case of Bahria Town to get settled in the SC? All the alleged money has been paid to Arsalan Iftikhar in instalments.

If he was not getting any favour, then why had he been paying such huge amount money for nothing?

He may also be asked to answer the question, holding the Holy Quran as he did at the press conference, that how has he risen to such affluence and fortune from nonentity within years?

There seem wheels within wheels in this case. Credible and impartial criminal investigation or judicial inquiry is quite appropriate and desirable at this moment to uncover all the dimensions of the scam.

There might be some other people who have their own axe to grind in this matter.

As Malik Riaz seems to fry some bigger fish, he should, therefore, also remember that if you are out of the frying pan, then you should consider yourself in the fire.

MOHSIN RAZA MALIK Lahore

Opinion

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