SC issued notices to Shujaat, others in Rs 7b NICL scam

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and others in light of a report compiled by Justice (r) Ghulam Rabbani regarding the National Insurance Company Limited scam.
A three-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khiji Arif Hussain on a suo motu also directed the Punjab inspector general to provide adequate security to Zafar Ahmed Qureshi, former FIA additional director general.
The bench also directed the FIA director general to come prepared with relevant documents about the steps taken so far for bringing back the money, allegedly laundered by Moonis Elahi, from abroad.
The bench also ordered the commerce secretary and FIA Karachi director to submit comprehensive reports on the status of cases pending for adjudication before the FIA and allegations involving Amin Fahim, minister for commerce.
During the proceedings, the commerce secretary said he had moved a letter to the establishment secretary based upon Supreme Court’s judgement in the appointment of OGDCL chairman, that all expenditures, perks and privileged from the contractual officials should be retrieved.
Barrister Ali Zafar, counsel for Fahim, stated that his client’s name was being mentioned in the NICL case time and again with allegations.
He said the FIA investigation officer had exonerated his client in his report as he was innocent.
The chief justice told him that the FIA had not completed its investigation yet and his client could move court if he felt he was aggrieved once the process was completed.
FIA Karachi Director Moazzam Jan said so far they had recovered Rs 490 million.
Tariq Asad, counsel for Ayyaz Khan Niazi, former NICL chairman, contended that his client’s appointment was made in line with Section 12 of the ordinance and enumerated the educational qualification and experience.
The FIA official from Lahore apprised the bench that Akram Warraich, a relative of Habibullah Warraich and Mohsin Warraich, the two accused in the NICL case, had given them 10 cheques but the fist cheque had bounced.
The proceedings were then adjourned until June 22.