Arsalan Iftikhar, the controversial son of former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, on Thursday resigned from the office of vice chairman Balochistan Board of Investment (BBoI).
Arsalan faxed his resignation to Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, who had appointed him on the post on June 21. He cited opposition from certain politicians as his reason for resigning.
However, sources claimed that the provincial government led by Dr Abdul Malik Baloch had told Arsalan to tender his resignation in wake of scathing criticism by media and political and social circles. Dr Baloch’s own party’s chief, Senator Hasil Bizenjo had also termed Arsalan’s appointment “wrong and incorrect”.
The opposition against Arsalan’s appointment from the chief minister’s own National Party was a major blow to Dr Baloch, who had earlier told fellow lawmakers during a provincial assembly session that “I appointed Arsalan Iftikhar and if someone has any complaint they can speak to me”.
Arsalan’s appointment met with criticism and controversy as he was implicated in a financial impropriety case in 2012 by realtor Malik Riaz. His father, the then chief justice, had taken a suo motu notice on media reports that had alleged that Arsalan had received between Rs 300 million and Rs 400 million from Malik Riaz to influence judicial proceedings.