ISLAMABAD As a high-profile case of Rs 22 billion embezzlement against former Chairman of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), Moin Aftab, is being heard in the apex court, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on Friday sought a report from present Chairman PSM regarding the chopping of trees from the mill. The Chief Justice called the report from Chairman PSM M.M. Usmani on an application moved by a citizen of Karachi, Ahmed Hussain, seeking order to initiate an inquiry into the unlawful recent cutting of trees inside the PSM and its surrounding areas. He informed the Supreme Court that precious trees, having cost of million of rupees were chopped off by the new administration of PSM. Hussain further pleaded that the court should order to investigate the recent irregularities in the mill as well as the matter regarding the mill taking notice of such invisible control of government in the affairs of PSM. Various timber merchants and dealers met some senior officers of PSM and showed their interest in the wood business without any proper permission of high-ups of Pakistan Steel Mills, the appellant informed the court. The Chief Justice directed the PSM Chairman to investigate the whole matter and submit a detailed report pertaining to the alleged irregularities in the mill, which reportedly has become a hub of corruption. Earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had sacked former Chairman of PSM Moin Aftab in August 2009, who was allegedly involved in the whole saga. The Chief Justice later took a suo moto notice on media reports, which highlighted corruption and nepotism with regard to the embezzlement of Rs 22 billion. During the proceedings of the case, the Chief Justice directed FIA and NAB to probe the issue and submit a detailed report before the court. The court also issued notice to Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who reportedly tried to stop FIA team from unearthing the invisible hands behind the whole corruption. Besides, the Chief Justice remarked that the alleged persons must be apprehended and strict action should be taken against them. Every one was looting public property through immoral ways, he added.