A TV footage run by private ARY News channel on its flagship Khara Sachh program allegedly shows incumbent Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed taking “bribe” from the owner of Future Concerns owner Asim Malik, who is wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on human trafficking charges, in the year 2012, when the Pakistan People’s Party was ruling in the Centre while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was in power in Punjab.
The secret footage, reportedly recorded in Asim Malik’s office, also shows Mashhood, then the deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly, speaking on “horsetrading” of provincial lawmakers by the PML-N.
(Link of the ‘secret footage’) : http://tune.pk/video/4488095/Mubasher-Lucman-Exposed-Law-Minister-Rana-Mashood-in-a-Live-Show
A close examination of the footage reveals that alleged meetings between Mashhood and Asim Malik took place on various days in February 2012. However, the authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified.
MASHHOOD TO TAKE CHANNEL TO COURT:
Talking to Pakistan Today, Rana Mashhood claimed that the footage aired by ARY News was “fabricated” and he would take the channel to court for claiming damages.
“This footage was also presented in the Supreme Court in 2012 and the court had declared that it was ‘doctored’,” Mashhood said, adding that the cases against Malik were being investigated by the FIA, which was then under the PPP’s control.
Mashhood said that he would hold a press conference in which he would challenge the authenticity of the allegations.
A post titled “Asim Malik Case Summary” on Rana Mashhood’s official Facebook page is being reported verbatim:
“Asim Malik had received USD 320,000 for immigration (via Future Concern Associates) from Malik Sarood Ahmed Advocate. Both parties were known to Rana Mashhood, with reference of Asim’s wife, Zubia Rubab Malik MPA PMLQ and asked him for settlement of the above said money. Asim Malik returned original passports and other relevant documents with the promise to refund US 320,000 within 15 days from 25-01-2012 to 09-02-2012. But he failed to pay the said amount. Malik Sarood registered a case against Asim Malik and Rana Mashhood recorded his statement with JIT (Joint Investigation Team) of FIA on 30-06-2012. Asim Malik alleged in the inquiry that Rana Mashhood received a sum of PKR 10,000,000 for resolution of the dispute. In fact, he borrowed PKR 4,000,000 for personal reasons and gave 2 cheques as security, out of which 1 cheque was en-cashed whereas the other Cheque# 04112957 of Allied Bank Bridge Colony Branch was dishonored on 15-05-2012.
JIT, through its inquiry number 995/12 P.S. FIA AHTC (Lahore), observed that allegation pressed against Rana Mashhood, then Deputy Speaker Provincial Assembly are proved wrong. Asim Malik challenged the order of inquiry in Supreme Court which was also dismissed.
The copy of the dismissal orders will be proved once courts resume the working.”
Future Concerns owner Asim Malik and his wife Zobia Rubab Malik were able to flee Pakistan despite their names being on the Exit Control List (ECL) and are now settled in the United Kingdom. The FIA has already obtained Red Warrants from Interpol for the couple’s arrest and is making efforts for their arrest and subsequent deportation.