ISLAMABAD: A joint investigation team (JIT) formed on the orders of the Supreme Court (SC) last week to probe alleged abuse of power by Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati initiated the investigation by visiting the lawmaker’s residence on Wednesday.
Swati, a senator belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), allegedly played a role in the transfer of former Islamabad police chief Jan Mohammad — an allegation over which the SC had last week pondered taking action against him under Article 62 of the Constitution before forming a JIT.
Led by National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Irfan Mangi, the JIT, also comprises members of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).
The incident came to the fore following an altercation between Swati’s domestic staff and his neighbours, whose cattle had reportedly trespassed the minister’s farmhouse and caused damage to his property.
In the meantime, it had appeared that Swat’s family may have been encroaching upon government land, following which the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had issued Swati’s wife, the owner of the property, a notice to remove encroachments and unauthorised construction from her farmhouse in 15 days.
The JIT has also sought from the CDA complete details of Swati’s residence.