ISLAMABAD - It took three months for apex court-appointed judicial commission to prepare investigation report regarding Arsalan-Riaz graft scandal that was submitted to Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Shoaib Suddle headed judicial commission that was given mandate by the apex court to unearth controversy relating to allegations of Rs 342 million business deal between Arsalan and property tycoon Malik Riaz, told Supreme Court that property tycoon could only prove spending Rs 5 million on Arsalan’s foreign trips that the former paid accordingly.
“Property tycoon could only prove spending Rs 5 million on Arsalan Iftikhar from his son-in-law’s account. Arsalan Iftikhar, however, convinced the commission that he returned Rs 4.5 million against the expenses that were incurred during his trips abroad. As a proof, Arsalan produced a copy of cheque before the commission through which he returned money to manager of his friend Khalil Ahmed,” the report compiled by the commission and submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday stated.
While, the much-awaited report is yet to make public, however, head of judicial commission has explained the factors causing delay in investigation and creating hurdles for the commission to complete its findings with regards to Arsalan-Riaz graft scandal.
“Federal Interior Ministry did not cooperate with the commission. Despite serving several reminders Interior Ministry never placed names of accused on ECL. Also, Interior Ministry irritated the commission by transferring the officials of FIA whose services were sought by commission,” the report stated.
It is worthy to mention here that Supreme Court formed a judicial commission on 30 August 2012 asking it to probe Arsalan-Riaz graft scandal within 30 days.
However, the commission could compile its report after three months and submitted it before apex court on Wednesday.
According to insiders, commission would continue probing Arsalan-Riaz graft case until it completes investigation. However, the report, commission submitted before Supreme Court on Wednesday contained the factors that caused delay in completing the investigation.
Interestingly, the report was compiled without recording statement of Khalil Ahmed, lone witness of Arsalan-Riaz graft scandal.