ISLAMABAD - Contrary to an earlier claim by Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the key respondent in a graft case, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the case was informed by the Punjab Police that Dr Arsalan had deliberately refused to receive the notice for appearance before JIT.
Earlier, Dr Arsalan had claimed that he did not receive any notice from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to appear before its Joint Investigation Team.
Talking to a private television channel on Sunday last, besides showing his reservations over the impartiality of the JIT, Dr Arsalan had said that he was waiting for notice.
But, contrary to his claim, the Punjab Police through its report, tabled before the JIT on Wednesday, confirmed that notice had reached Dr Arsalan but he refused to receive it.
A statement issued by NAB stated that JIT would continue to hold its proceedings on Thursday (today), where intentional and continuous non-appearance of certain individuals would be discussed.
On Wednesday, NAB also issued a second notice for appearance to Dr Faqir Hussain, Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan, who is also hesitant to face the investigators.
“Since Dr Faqir Hussain had declined to appear before the JIT primarily on the ground that he was a BPS-22 officer, a second notice for appearance on 27-07-2012 has been issued to him,” statement reads.
Earlier, Dr Faqir Hussain was directed by NAB through notice to appear personally before JIT on July 25th, but he failed to comply with the directions.
The five-member JIT, headed by NAB’s Financial Crime Wing Director General Kausar Iqbal Malik, and comprising of officers of NAB, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Islamabad police, is probing the allegations by real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, that CJ’s son had minted million of rupees from him promising to sway apex court decisions in his favour.
JIT on Wednesday also discuss at length further course of action to ensure recording of statements of two respondents, including Salman Ahmed, son-in-law of former Chairman of Bahria Town Malik Riaz, and his business partner Ahmed Khalil.
It was also decided to provide reasonable opportunity to all respondents for personal appearance before taking any action to ensure compliance of Section 19 notices.
So far, only Malik Riaz, former Chairman Bahria Town, has recorded his statement before the Joint Investigation Team at NAB’s headquarters in which he had made a number of crucial disclosures.
JIT also deliberated to re-summon Malik Riaz Hussain for recording of another statement based on additional information received in this case from an Agency.
Salman Ahmed has already informed JIT that he was receiving life threats and it was impossible for him to travel to Pakistan for this case.
However, he agreed to record his statements outside the country. While, Ahmed Khalil, through a letter informed the investigation team that he was undergoing medical treatment in Germany, thus being unable to appear before the team.