The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified an impression created in some segments of the media relating to a stay of inquiry by it in the case involving a possible wrong on the part of Malik Riaz, Dr Arsalan Iftikhar and Salman Ali Khan, the son-in-law of Malik Riaz, by terming it “false and deliberately misleading”. According to a press release issued by the court, the correct position was that allegations were leveled on behalf of Arsalan through CRP 167/2012 inter alia, against the attorney general, NAB and a joint investigation team, for being partial towards Malik Riaz and showing undue favor to him.
On July 31, CCTV footage was displayed in the court and vide order of the same date, it was noted that one member of the JIT, Faisal Bashir Memon, was seen sticking close to Malik Riaz, extending him undue protocol and then escorting him and acting almost as a personal security guard of Malik Riaz. “It is for this reason that Faisal Bashir Memon was required to explain his position and the inquiry was stopped to make sure that it was not tainted with bias,” it added. On July 31, the counsel for Malik Riaz sought an adjournment for a longer duration but the request was declined because the court was of the view that the truth should be brought forward promptly and in a fair, honest, impartial and transparent manner. Reports were also sought by the court from the interior secretary, Memon and one other person, DSP Malik Tahir and the case was ordered to be listed on August 2.
SC clarifies misleading impression in Arsalan Iftikhar case
