Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz has refused to appear before the inquiry commission in the Arsalan Iftikhar case, headed by former police official Dr Shoaib Suddle, Riaz’s lawyer, Zahid Bukhari on said Monday. Riaz is likely to file a review petition in the Supreme Court regarding the constitution of the commission. According to his counsel, Zahid, Riaz will not be appearing before the commission for its hearings.
The commission, constituted on the Supreme Court’s orders, has obtained a complete record of the case from the court and the National Accountability Bureau. Evidence will be collected from those who are party in the case, and media will be allowed to monitor the commission’s proceedings. Once the court releases its directives, Dr Suddle will have to complete his investigation within 30 days. He will be granted the powers of a magistrate and will be able to call assistance from lawyers and deploy state machinery as needed. The commission will launch an inquiry against Riaz, Dr Arsalan and Riaz’s son-in-law Salman Ahmed.