Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Thursday said it was highly unlikely for police officers to be sincere with the public when they were no even sincere with the men of their own department.
He passed the remarks while presiding over a three-member bench hearing the National Police Foundation (NPF) case on Thursday.
He observed, “Plots were allotted to former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and former sessions judge Muhammad Afzal. This is police-related matter. It has gone beyond comprehension from where we should start and where we should end. If police officers are not sincere with the men of their own department then how can they be sincere with the people of the country? Corruption is everywhere. Dishonesty prevails everywhere. Nothing has been done for the poor police personnel and all plots were purchased by police officers, other senior government functionaries at throwaway rates. Rules and regulations were breached blatantly,” the CJP said.
He said no one was there to ask them about it.
“The poor police personnel lay down their lives while protecting the dignity of their officers but no land is left for them to live in. Being a head of a department no one has right to purchase all plots for himself or for his wife and children. Bin Yamin was allotted two plots, former prime minister was allotted three plots, Afzal Shagri, eight plots and Sultan Azam three plots.”
On behalf of Makhdoom Ali Khan, his associate appeared in the court. He told the court an agreement had been reached between the Police Foundation and Anjam Aqeel Khan.
The CJP remarked the agreement had not been approved so far and the matter was sub judice. A fresh agreement has been executed during this time under which some flats and money have been taken back and cases have been withdrawn. Notices have been issued in this respect.
Counsel for Anjam Aqeel said the matter was investigated. “FIR was also registered. Civil agreement was executed. The graphic picture of the agreement reached between Anjam Aqeel Khan and police foundation has not been depicted in the inquiry report authored by Zafar Iqbal Qureshi. Several transactions have been made. Forty-five kanals of land was allotted. CDA had made payments to some persons but the possession of the land was not taken.”
The CJP said some benefit could go to Khan if he returned 45 kanals of land and the money. “Why is the agreement being made when the claims of police and police employees have been proved?”
The court was told by Police Foundation that recovery of Rs 25 million had been made. “The cost of land per kanal comes to Rs 13 million rupees. Assets costing Rs 450 million have been obtained.”
Aslam Khaki told the court that approved parks had been eliminated. “Please give an order that public parks cannot be abolished. One person was allotted 12 plots. Twelve plots were allotted to former deputy director Khuda Bakhsh and six plots were given to another deputy director. They have been arrested in the case.”
Justice Ejaz Ahmad said if police officers “have died then plots can be allotted to their sons or daughters. But 12 plots cannot be allotted to a single person”.
Justice Ejaz sad nothing was given to deserving persons.
The CJP said five plots were allotted to IG Afzal Shagri.
“We have read much in the media. Please explain it.”
Afzal Shagri said, “I had applied for plots in 1996. The scheme could not run earlier. We demanded our money but it was not returned. The prices were not this high earlier.”
The CJP said, “You have engaged in business. Benefit has to be given to the police personnel in police foundations. Army personnel will not give plots to you as they are sincere with their own men.”
Justice Gulzar remarked “You were entitled to one plot per rules and you will have to return the remaining plots, other wise you will have to pay money.”
Afzal Shagri said he was ready to do so.
The CJP said the foundation had been set up for the welfare of police personnel and their widows. “Plots have been allotted to only 87 such police personnel.”
The court later directed the federal interior secretary and Islamabad IGP Bin Yamin to appear in person on June 11 to explain the position over allotment of plots in National Police Foundation allegedly against the rules and regulations.
The court sought details of all allottees and directed former DG Zafar Iqbal Qureshi to appear before it to assist it.
The hearing of the case was adjourned until June 11.
