PML-N rejects investigation by FIA
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a PML-N member and leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. – File Photo
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-N came out on Sunday with a clear stance on the Supreme Court verdict in the Asghar Khan case and said it accepted the decision but rejected an investigation by the FIA into distribution of money by the ISI among politicians in 1990.
Two days after the court decision which declared that the 1990 elections had been “polluted”, party stalwart and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said at a press conference that his party wanted investigations through an “independent judicial commission” and not by the FIA which was under the control of the ministry headed by Rehman Malik.
“We accept the SC decision in letter and spirit and are ready to cooperate, but a probe through the FIA is totally unacceptable,” said Chaudhry Nisar, whose party was part of the nine-party Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) that was formed and supported by the then military establishment in a bid to defeat the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the polls.
He expressed surprise over the SC move to give responsibility of the investigation to the FIA despite knowing its “performance” over the past four years. He questioned the FIA’s role in investigations into various corruption scams. “Did the FIA carry out a transparent probe into the NICL, OGDCL and Haj scams,” he appeared to be asking the SC.
He termed the SC verdict a “welcome development” and expressed the hope that it would curtail (intelligence) agencies’ role in future elections.
But he voiced “reservations” over paragraph 14 of the judgment in which the government had been directed to carry out an investigation through the FIA into allegations against politicians, including Nawaz Sharif, of having received money from the ISI prior to the 1990 elections.
Without saying anything about composition of the judicial commission proposed by his party, Chaudhry Nisar said the PML-N could approach the court on the issue, if needed. “We are ready to face accountability. However, the SC (in its verdict) has called for a transparent inquiry which is not possible through the FIA,” he said.
He said the proposed commission should investigate the role of the agencies since the time former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, according to him, approved the setting up of a political wing in the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
“There should be an open trial. Nothing should be kept secret so that people should know who had given money to whom,” he said.
Seemingly disturbed over the attacks on the PML-N from different directions after the verdict, he asked the opponents to stop “media trial” merely on the basis of allegations.
Citing paragraph 8 of the judgment, he said that a floodgate of criticism had been opened against the PML-N although the SC had restrained itself from making any “adverse order” against the politicians who had been accused of having received Rs60 million from the ISI “without a thorough probe”.
He said PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf were trying to politically exploit the SC decision by maligning the PML-N. “For the past 48 hours, all guns are blazing at the party,” he said.
Defending his leader Nawaz Sharif, he said the PML-N did not even exist during the 1990 elections and Mr Sharif was then a member of the PML headed by former prime minister Mohammad Khan Junejo. He agreed that Mr Sharif headed the IJI at that time, “but by virtue of rotation of the presidency and not by choice”.
When asked why the PML-N did not approach the SC on its own like the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) which had submitted an affidavit stating that it had not received any money, Chaudhry Nisar said the PML-N had not done so after consultations with legal experts. He termed the PML-N move a correct decision and said the JI initiative had produced no results as the SC had not cleared it in its judgment.
The opposition leader said everyone knew how former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf created the PML-Q by making generous offers to the PML-N members in 2002, adding that Gen Musharraf had admitted this in his book.
He alleged that misuse of Presidency, as mentioned by the SC in its verdict, was still going on and President Asif Ali Zardari was channelling public money to support his PPP. On the one hand, he said, PPP leaders were criticising them on the basis of the judgment and, on the other, they said the President would continue his political activities.
PTI is the only option…Khan for PM!!
Very soon Noora League will request that this investigation should be done by Arsalan who tey only trust. After all, it was probably Arsalan who saved them in Asghar khan case otherwise all proofs were there in the shape of written affidavits on oath. Funny enough, Hon CJ judgement said Asad Durrani gave money and that is accepted but Noora league should not be punished.well done Arsalan this nation will never forgive you, we have suffered because of your unaffordable luxuries
SC, don’t just announce the decision, make unqualified for life people who took money. If someone gave money there are people who received it.
Mr Nisar Khan, you need to practise what you preach. Stop being selective with SC decision; if you accept the decision than you must also accept and co-operate wth it’s directive. In case you fear that FIA not going to carry out fair and reasonable investigation than you can approach SC.
But the real question is whether our beloved CJ will summon Nisar for contempt of court as he seems to be committed to use this option only for PPP………………………………
Did anyone from our nation think about how PPP was always cornered by the Establishment? I am simply amazed that PPP is the only party that has always been the most popular party amongst the people. Their strength and tolerance is staggering. Good on you PPP. Time has proven that your were right…
PML (N) Needs some to investigate this case from Raiwand.
When you reject FIA as investigating agency, you are simply NOT rejecting the SC verdict because SC wrote this in judement. Have you understood this simple logic Nisar Khan?
Mr Nisar wants investigation by Rana Sanaullah and co .He demands for an independent commission including the judges of Ziaulhaq era and he asks for fair trial of his boss who accepted bribes and wished to be called “KHALIFA” of that period BRAVO MR NISAR YOU ARE A VERY HONEST MAN..
It was decided by court and tehy should obey the decision.
Sabotaging the mandate of the People is the biggest crime any where in the world. It’s close to treason. The beneficiaries of this criminal act should be brought to justice. PML-N will try to delay it as much as they can. Justice should be done in time.
Not accepting SC’s Order will bring PMLN at par with PPP whose non-acceptance of SC order to write to Swiss authorities has so vehemently criticised by PMLN all along. Now SC’s unanimous judgement specifically names FIA to conduct the investigation against the politicians who received the money… if PMLN does not accept the SC’s order, it will clearly show that it is no different then PPP and like PPP the PMLN will also go against the Supreme court, if the judgement is against them…which, in this case, certainly is…
All bad manners should be stop.
So, the benefaciries of organized election fraud want someone of their own camp to conduct the probe or they will not accept. Shameful.