PM can be issued notice: SC

ISLAMABAD While saving the skin of its top guns involved in the promotion of an NRO beneficiary Ahmad Riaz Sheikh as Additional Director General Economic Criminal Wing of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Interior Ministry in its report submitted in the Supreme Court has held Additional Secretary Tahir Sarfraz solely responsible for this mess. It is relevant to mention here that the apex court took suo moto notice on a news report that revealed the defying conduct of the Government in response to the Supreme Court verdict on NRO, as Ahmad Riaz sheikh, a close friend of President Asif Ali Zardari, mysteriously promoted as Additional DG FIA despite the fact that he was a beneficiary of National Reconciliation Ordinance. A five-member SC bench headed by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk heard this case in which Deputy Attorney General Agha Tariq and Deputy Prosecutor General of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Raja Amir Abbas appeared before the court to present compliance report on NRO verdict before the larger bench of the apex court. During the course of hearing, Justice Raja Fiaz observed that SC verdict on NRO was not being implemented in its true letter and spirit. DAG Agha Tariq told the bench that SC verdict was being implemented as per Constitution. On this the bench observed that gross violations were being made in implementation process. The Court asked Attorney General Agha Tariq about the reason for non-implementation of the SC verdict on NRO. The DAG said that the Government respected the court, while Justice Fiaz observed that non-implementation of the ruling showed that the Government felt otherwise, adding, Should we send notice to the PM? Additional Secretary of Interior Ministry, Nasir Hayyat, a close aide of Interior Minister Rehman Malik, conducted inquiry to find responsible officials in Ahmad Riaz Sheikh case. It is feared that only one official, who was working as Joint Secretary Interior, was made scapegoat in the inquiry report to hamper the required information. According to details, Tariq Khosa then DG FIA wrote a letter to Interior Ministry intimating that Ahmad Riaz Sheikh was NRO beneficiary and he might not be promoted. Then acting secretary Raja Ahsan marked it to Tahir Sarfraz, who was already working on a letter written by Establishment Division in which minutes were sought on the file of Ahmad Riaz Sheikh to promote him in the next grade. However, minutes were prepared but letter of DG FIA mysteriously disappeared from the file of Ahmad Riaz due to which Selection Board could not examine his promotion case thoroughly. Raja Amir Abbass, DPG NAB, apprised the court that NAB had seized the property of Ahmad Riaz Sheikh and recovered 400 grams gold and recovery process is underway according to the apex courts directions. The case has been adjourned for one week. Online adds: The Supreme Court (SC) has remarked that its verdict on National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) has not been implemented even after lapse of four and a half months, adding that if any notice will be required it would be sent to the Prime Minister for implementation on the verdict. These remarks were given by Justice Raja Fayyaz during the course of hearing of case regarding implementation of its verdict on NRO by a five-member SC bench led by Justice Nasirul Mulk here Thursday. The court inquired from Deputy Attorney General Agha Tariq what progress had been made with reference to the implementation of SC decision on NRO. Agha Tariq told the court the orders issued by the SC earlier had been complied with. Justice Sheikh Fayyaz while reprimanding him remarked that about four and half months had elapsed but the verdict was not being implemented. A notice will have to be sent to the Prime Minister for implementation of court decision as he is head of the state, Justice Fayyaz inquired. You people have made mockery of the matter. It is a constitutional decision and with whom the responsibility rests to ensure implementation of this decision. You people only respect the decision of the court but dont comply with it, Justice Raja Fayyaz observed. Interior Ministry presented investigation report with regard to disappearance of the documents provided by the FIA that Ahmad Riaz Sheikh was guilty. The report said that the then secretary petroleum Tahir Sarfraz was responsible for it. On the other hand the investigation committee expressed resentment and took the plea that contempt proceedings had been initiated against interior ministry and secretary establishment therefore, the matter was being shifted to them to make them scapegoat. The matter has been referred to the Prime Minister.

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