Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, Salman Ahmed (son-in-law of Malik Riaz) and his business partner Ahmed Khalil on Monday excused themselves from appearing before a joint investigation team (JIT) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The five-member JIT is headed by NAB’s Financial Crime Wing Director General Kosar Iqbal Malik.
NAB had issued notices to the Islamabad inspector general police (IGP) and Punjab IGP to ensure the presence of the three men involved in the Dr Arsalan saga on Monday without failure. However, all three parties failed to show up. Arsalan had excused from appearing before the JIT for having reservations over Attorney General Irfan Qadir and the NAB investigation team. In his earlier petition, Arsalan had said that the “attorney general has misinterpreted the court’s verdict and the team formed by the NAB is illegal”.
According to NAB spokesperson, Salman Ahmed had said in a fax message sent from the UK that he was receiving life threats and it was not possible for him to travel to Pakistan for the case. Salman, however, agreed to record his statement from abroad. Ahmed Khalil in his letter informed the JIT that he was undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Germany. In view of the absence, notice under Section 19 was once again issued for Arsalan Iftikhar to appear before the JIT on July 26. The notice was also been issued to Dr Faqir Hussain, the Supreme Court registrar, for a personal appearance on Jul 25.
Riaz, the real estate tycoon, has already recorded his statement before the NAB JIT in which he made a number of crucial disclosures. NAB had also decided to contact authorities in Britain and the United Arab Emirates to obtain all related documents of the case, including payments made through credit cards. Meanwhile, Dr Arsalan on Monday said he had not received a notice from NAB to appear before the JIT.
Talking to a private TV channel, Arsalan said he was waiting for the notice, adding that he did not have faith in the investigation team and would also inform them of this. On the other hand, Interior Adviser Rehman Malik has submitted an application with the SC to become party in the Arsalan Iftikhar review case. The petition was submitted by the advocate on record on behalf of Rehman Malik.
