The Supreme Court (SC) has sought a report from the Ministry of Finance and Intelligence Bureau director general over the amount spent on journalists.
A three-member SC bench presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up for hearing the Information Ministry secret fund case on Monday.
Petitioner Asad Kharal said the IB gave Rs 3 million to a journalist in 1999. An explanation was sought from the IB DG in this respect on January 8, 2013, but he never submitted the reply.
The CJP said the secret fund was utilised to salvage the political government. “It is right of the people to know where their hard earned money is being spent.”
Justice Azmat Saeed said, “The secret fund can be utilised for the state, not for the sake of politics. Governments come and go but the state stays as is, therefore, secret funds should be not utilised to salvage political governments.”
Justice Gulzar inquired from the attorney general why was the government utilising secret funds to meet political ends. The AG said he was not defending utilisation of secret funds. “If the petitioner has evidence then he should present it.”
Allowing 10 days’ time to the IB DG, the court sought a report on the money spent on journalists afresh. The hearing of the case was adjourned for 10 days.
Agencies as per their caliber thought that this secret funds means it is fund for secret agencies to do all secret acts against state and its people.
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