LAHORE – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has sought legal assistance from the governments of Japan and Indonesia regarding alleged corruption committed by officers of ministry of foreign affairs and others in the sale of Pakistani embassy’s buildings in Tokyo and Jakarta.
The NAB told this to the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday in its inquiry report regarding the alleged embezzlement in sale of properties of Pakistan embassies in the two countries.
The report, submitted in the court of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial during hearing of a petition against the sale of embassy’s buildings, said Kamran Niaz and Maj Gen Mustafa Anwar Hussain, former ambassadors in Japan and Indonesia, respectively, had confronted the allegations and initial inquiry of the bureau; however, their response was under scrutiny.
The NAB further stated that both cases involved foreign jurisdiction and foreign nationals’ statements which had been pursued through mutual legal assistance with Japan and Indonesia; therefore complete report will be filed soon as soon as the response was received.
After going through the report, the chief justice adjourned hearing for a date to be fixed by registrar office.
ANOTHER CONTEMPT NOTICE: The LHC on Thursday again issued contempt notice to Punjab’s former secretary energy for ridiculing and humiliating the judiciary by writing adverse remarks about involvement of the courts in executive functions.
Additional Advocate General Chaudhary Iqbal on Tuesday informed the court that the contemnor had not appeared before the court despite notices while he had also been repatriated to federal government.
At this, Justice Muhammad Khalid Mahmood Khan issued another contempt notice to him through the deputy attorney general and directed him to appear in person on Oct 31 and face contempt proceedings.
Former Secretary Rab Nawaz had written adverse remarks in his report while conducting an inquiry against Umer Hayat, Head clerk of EDO office Khanewal. The inquiry report, later, produced before the LHC during hearing of a petition moved by Hayat challenging his removal from the services.
REPLY SOUGHT: The LHC sought reply from the Ministry of Interior on a petition of an Indian prisoner seeking directions to keep him at some guesthouse.
Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik passed the order on the petition moved by Bhavesh Parmar Kantilal through his counsel Awais Sheikh.
The petitioner said he had completed his awarded sentence in 2010 but still confined in jail. He submitted that his continuous detention was illegal and against the principles of natural justice.
He requested the court to direct ministry of interior for his repatriation to India. He also prayed for orders to jail authorities for his shifting to some guesthouse or any other suitable place till his release.
Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik heard initial arguments, and issued notice to the interior ministry.
FIR QUASHED: The relatives of a graduated girl thrashed her for marrying an uneducated man against their whims while appearing before the Lahore High Court hearing a love marriage case.
However, the court quashed the FIR of kidnapping and allowed her to go with her husband in view of her statement.
Before attending the hearing, some family members including father of the girl attacked and severely tortured the couple. During scuffle, the girl namely Aroosa Tariq got fainted.
After getting first-aid treatment, the girl got into senses and appeared before the court for recording her statement. She submitted that no one kidnapped her and she married with her free will with Tahir Naseem. Her father had lodged the fake FIR against her husband and three others to blackmail and pressurise them, she added.
Aroosa through her counsel Shahid Saleem had filed the habeas petition seeking directions to quash the FIR registered at the Pir Mahal Police Station of Toba Tek Singh.
Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik recorded the statement of girl and documentary record. The court quashed the FIR and allowed the girl to go with her husband.