Expressing displeasure over the information provided by the Punjab inspector general of police that there was a strong possibility that former Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman Tauqir Sadiq had fled to Nepal, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and three IGPs to ensure Sadiq’s arrest and present him before the court by January 2 (tomorrow).
The displeasure was expressed by a two-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja during the hearing of the case of implementation of a court order to arrest the former OGRA chief.
Earlier, Punjab IGP Haji Habibur Rehman informed the bench that a special police team was making all out efforts to arrest Sadiq, but according to his information, Sadiq had fled to Nepal on a fake passport where his two daughters were already residing, despite the fact that his name was put on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The IG also submitted a report in the court, stating that a joint team had been sent to Nepal to arrest Sadiq.
The court expressed its surprise over the possibility of issuance of a fake passport to a criminal, observing that it was a very serious disclosure if it was correct.
Justice Khwaja questioned how Sadiq could escape the security despite installation of CCTV cameras at the airport.
“The FIA, not police, are deployed at airports,” the IG responded, suggesting that the escape could have been in connivance with federal agencies. The bench enquired about the progress made so far by the joint investigation team into the arrest, to which Rehman stood silent.
Justice Khwaja said if the anti-terrorism cells of police could not arrest Sadiq, how would they apprehend the criminals bigger than him. He remarked that the case against the accused pertained to embezzlement of billions of rupees, but he was not arrested even after all efforts were made by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau, police and other law enforcement agencies.
Islamabad IGP Bani Amin, Motorways IGP Zaffar Lak, FIA Director Legal Dr Azam and senior officials of the NAB and police also appeared before the court and assured the bench of making utmost efforts to arrest Sadiq.
SC orders ‘Operation Get Sadiq’
