A joint investigation team (JIT) probing alleged misuse of authority by Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati has held the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator and his employees responsible for the clash that took place at his farmhouse a few days ago, according to a report in the local media on Monday.
Swati is accused of playing a role in the transfer of former Islamabad police chief Jan Mohammad — an allegation over which the Supreme Court (SC) had formed a JIT to probe the incident.
The IG’s transfer took place after Swati’s son registered a case against a family of slum dwellers for allegedly trespassing on his family’s land. Five people, including two women, were arrested for trespassing on the land and beating Swati’s guards up.
They were released after a day’s detention as police said a settlement had been reached between the minister and the detained family.
Led by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi Director General Irfan Mangi, the JIT, also comprising members of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), had begun its inquiry against Swati on Nov 7.
In its report submitted to the SC on Monday, the JIT stated that the inquiry against Swati was linked to the situation that arose after the minister’s son had a case registered against a neighbouring family.
According to the channel, the report also raises questions regarding the transfer of the former Islamabad IG by the government in the aftermath of the incident.
The SC had directed the JIT to probe alleged misconduct on the part of Swati, besides examining the minister and his children’s assets and tax payments. The team was asked to present its report within 14 days.
The altercation, coupled with the IGP’s transfer, had caught the attention of the media as well as the apex court. In the meantime, it had appeared that Swati’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.
