LAHORE - A sessions court on Thursday extended interim bail of prominent politician and industrialist Jahangir Tareen and his son, Ali Tareen, till May 3 in two cases registered by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with a sugar scam.

The counsel for the petitioners argued that his clients had also obtained interim bail from a banking offence court in a connected case. He submitted that FIA had raised objections on jurisdiction of the banking court and the matter was fixed for May 3, adding that it is to be witnessed whether the application pending before the banking court would come here or not. He submitted that investigations were being conducted on charges of money laundering and his clients had joined the investigations. He submitted that if the other case was also transferred to the sessions court then he would argue together in both cases.

The investigation officer submitted that investigations were in progress whereas the inquiry report was secret and could not be disclosed.

The court adjourned the further hearing till May 3 and directed the officer for submitting the inquiry report on the next date of hearing. The court also extended the interim bail of Jehangir Tareen and Ali Tareen.

Earlier, the two along with their counsel appeared before Additional District and Sessions Judge Hamid Hussain on expiry of their interim bail.

Speaking to mediamen on occasion of his appearance before the court, the estranged PTI leader maintained that federal institutions like Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) or the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) may investigate the cases instituted against him by the Federal Investigation agency (FIA).  

“It is not a criminal case to be probed by the FIA. It is at best a civil case and may be investigated by FBR or SECP if it is required in any case,” he said.

He lamented that a civil case had been converted into a criminal case. He recalled that the PML-N in its last tenure when he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Imran Khan had also investigated his entire business and sent him a number of notices from different departments. “But even the PML-N did not turn a civil case to a criminal one,” he averred. Tareen said he was still fighting those cases as he had never been afraid of presenting his defence.  

Replying to a question, he said he had heard of the formation of a committee [to listen to his grievances] from the news channels and had made it clear soon after that he would not be meeting any such body. He reiterated his stance that neither he nor his supporters would meet any committee [To be nominated by the PM]. “We will only meet the prime minister”, Tareen said, and added: “Neither we have contacted the committee, nor any member of the committee has contacted us,” he clarified.

“After all, there are some 30 to 35 people and may be 40 [in a few days]. They have told the prime minister that they were his MNAs and MPAs and that he [PM] was in power because of their votes. He should at least listen to them. Now, I am glad that a decision has been made and there would be a meeting soon”, he averred.   

He also said that he had been assured of a meeting between his supporters and the prime minister any time soon.

The PTI leader said some individuals from Islamabad contacted him after he had hosted an iftar dinner for his supporters earlier this month. “They assured of a meeting [of our group] with the prime minister in a few days,” he said, adding that his relationship with the PM was not that weak.

Punjab Minister Noman Langrial, who also accompanied Mr Tareen on the occasion, said that he had a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and requested him to mediate between Jahangir Khan Tareen and the prime minister. Langrial said that Usman Buzdar pledged to play his role in this regard and also commended Jahangir Tareen’s services for the party. “I have great respect in my heart for Jahangir Tareen”, the minister said quoting the chief minister who also assured that the matter would be settled soon.

Asked if his supporters seek his consent before meeting the chief minister, Tareen replied in the affirmative. “Yes, they do consult me before meeting the chief minister,” he said.