The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) – Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency – on Sunday, notified the Federal Ministry of Interior to add Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Zafar Hijazi’s name in the Exit Control List (ECL).
The request was submitted by FIA after Hijazi was held responsible for tampering of record – PM Nawaz Sharif’s documents – that was then given to Panama-gate Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
Reading from the letter, it was found that, FIA needs to interrogate SECP chief Zafar Hijazi further and so the said person must be included in the ECL.
Moreover, it was stated that FIA needs to investigate the fact that how and why SECP officials namely Maheen Fatima and Ali Azim were pressurized, and by who, to state a bogus date of closure of reference against Chaudhry Sugar Mills.
Reportedly, the interior ministry is likely to take a decision over FIA’s letter very soon.
FIA was earlier tasked by the top court to probe the record tampering allegations of Panama-gate Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia.
The report filed by FIA team found truth in tampering allegations and held SECP chief responsible.
It has been disclosed that Zafar Hijazi had on June 29, 2016, ordered Ali Azeem and Maheen Fatima to close the inquiry of Chaudhry Sugar Mills in the date of January 2013. He also pressurised his subordinates to forge the records.
The report says that SECP directors Ali Azeem and Maheen Fatima have also been found guilty of negligence, and recommends departmental proceedings against the ‘irresponsible officers’.
The inquiry committee recorded statements of 12 officers and found SECP chairman guilty of “misconduct by passing illegal orders and pressuring his subordinates to do illegal acts”. It called for lodging a case under Sections 466, 472 PPC read with 5 (2) PCA 1947 against him.
