An accountability court on Tuesday acquitted former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Narowal Muhammad Rasheed in two references of illegal assets, misuse of authority and intentional absentia.
The accused, hailing from a low-income family with a humble background, has been charged over acquisition of ‘illegal’ assets worth millions of rupees.
A reference was filed against Muhammad Rasheed in 2000, submitting that he became a member of the Sialkot district council in 1983, adding that records showed that the accused had not inherited any property or had any source of income. However, upon entering politics, the accused acquired properties worth more than 15.8 million rupees in his, his spouse and his dependants’ names, disproportionate to his known sources of his income and which he could not reasonably account for.
The accused disappeared from the scene instead of joining the investigations, prompting NAB to file another reference against the accused, requesting the court declare the accused an absconder.
The court, declaring Muhammad Rasheed an absconder, convicted him in absentia for three years.
NAB arrested the accused afterwards and produced him in court to face trial.
The court on Tuesday acquitted the accused on two references, declaring him innocent.
LHC qasid’s book wins cheque from CJP: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Chaudhry has appreciated a Lahore High Court (LHC) employee for writing a book titled “Adalate-Aalia Kay Qasid Ki Kahani”.
In a letter addressed to Ali Rehman, the author, the CJP thanked him for sending a copy of the book and said it was a unique book wherein many memories about important personalities had been saved. The CJP observed that the style of writing was simple and natural, which made it attractive. He appreciated the effort and congratulated the author, besides forwarding a cheque. Ali Rehman is a LHC qasid due to retire by fall 2011, after 37 years of court service.
The book is an autobiography, providing an insight into the high court and its working.
LHC sets aside PPSC filled posts of deputy director of 2008: A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday set aside recommendations for posts of deputy director fisheries in Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department Punjab made by Punjab Public Service commission (PPSC) in 2008.
The bench directed the PPSC to constitute a committee as per rules and re-interview all short-listed candidates for the posts.
Folksinger moves LHC against CM’s false promises: A petition has been moved in the Lahore High Court against the non-implementation of a grant of Rs 50,000 announced by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the medical treatment of ailing folksinger, Ijaz Lauhar. Ijaz Lauhar contended in the petition that the CM had announced the grant seven months ago and had also passed the required directions to the Lahore Deputy Commissioning Officer for payment of Rs 50,000 to him. However, the promise was yet to materialise in the form of hard cash. The petitioner named Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Lahore DCO and Lahore Division commissioner respondents in the matter. He said when he contacted the DCO for the amount of the grant, as per the orders of the CM, the DCO said the money would soon be sent to his home address. He said despite waiting of a long time he was yet to receive the grant money. The singer demanded the court call for a report from the respondents, including the CM.
