Directing authorities to compile the details of assets in the Haris Steel Mills case, also known as the Bank of Punjab (BoP) scam case, in three days’ time, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said former BoP president Hamesh Khan, the principal accused in a Rs9 billion scam, and Sheikh Afzal, the owner of Haris Steel Mills and the main character in the scam, could not be kept in jail indefinitely.
Haris Steel Mills and its two sister concerns had secured Rs9 billion loan from BoP in connivance with its officials including its then president Hamesh Khan in 2007.
According to a private television channel, a two-judge bench of the apex headed by the chief justice heard the case.
During the hearing, Afzal’s counsel told the bench that his client had paid more than half of the required amount, adding that, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should provide his client with a schedule for the remaining payment.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Iftikhar said that no assets could be sold without the consent of the owner(s).
He further remarked that people had lost faith in the state’s investigative bodies, including the NAB, adding that, today as well, newspapers had published stories pertaining to lack of confidence in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Justice Khawaja also criticised the NAB and the FIA in his remarks.
The case’s hearing was subsequently adjourned to Oct 25.
Haris Steel Mills case: SC orders authorities to compile details of assets
