Lahore District and Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqeem on Monday, exempting Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Zafar Qureshi from appearing in court, gave a last opportunity to FIA authorities to submit the complete challan of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam against Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Chaudhry Moonis Elahi and others until October 3.
The court directed FIA that if the challan was not submitted within the given time, the court would commence the hearing of the application filed by Moonis seeking his acquittal. The court issued the orders during hearing of an application submitted by Zafar, seeking a 15 days extension in submission of the complete challan against Moonis, accused of being involved in the scam. The FIA officer submitted that he had not completed the investigation report and it will take 15 more days.
Zafar said that he was going to retire on September 30 and the agency’s investigation team required more time to complete the challan. He submitted that owing to a security threat, he was not appearing for the hearing and requested the court for his exemption in appearing in future. Opposing the application, Moonis’ counsel Amjad Pervez argued that so far FIA had not produced any solid evidence or witnesses against his client.
He argued that Zafar was biased against his client Moonis and trying to damage the PML-Q leader’s repute. The defense counsel argued that Zafar was appearing before the apex court and attending his office on a regular basis and why he was avoiding appearing in this court. The counsel pointed out that around 14 Rangers personnel had been provided to Zafar and they were no security issues involved. He said that according to law, the investigation officer was bound to submit a report within four days but Zafar had personal grudges against Moonis and trying to prolong the case instead of supporting the court for timely decision in the scam.
