After the witnesses in the NICL scam case against Moonis Elahi backtracked, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is unlikely to challenge the decision of the district and session judge and appeal before the next higher court. FIA sources said the case judgment will be discussed by the top FIA officials on Monday.
“Since the witnesses have already backtracked, it is unlikely that the FIA will opt to appeal,” the source said. However, he added, the final decision will be taken after proper consultations amongst the FIA officials and the interior ministry. The NICL case repeatedly got headlines last year due to the high-profile accused Moonis Elahi, son of former Punjab chief minister Ch Pervez Elahi.
He was released on Friday after being acquitted by a Lahore district and sessions judge in the NICL scam as the prosecution failed to prove charges of money-laundering against him. The judge said it was a settled rule that statements of co-accused could not be taken as potential evidence against an accused unless independent evidence was available. Under these circumstances, the verdict said, the petitioner could not be kept behind bars and was entitled to acquittal.
‘No deal behind Moonis’ release’
LAHORE – Rejecting all speculations that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Chaudhry Moonis Elahi was acquitted from the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam under a deal between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the PML-Q, PML-Q President Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said on Saturday that Moonis’ innocence was proved in a fair trial by the independent judiciary.
He was talking to journalists at his residence along with Senior Federal Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and PPP leader Senator Dr Babar Awan and Punjab Opposition Leader Raja Riaz, who called on him to congratulate the Chaudhrys on Moonis’ release. Staff Report
