Mr Arslan Iftikhar did not “like” JIT and it stood dissolved. The tale of Arsalan Iftikhar case has been taking one twist after another. As per his desires, the court disbanded Joint Investigation Team from probing the case. The court order was a concession, one of its kind and most importantly, very rare in recent times. Not many accused have been able to get the leverage of such extent very recently, not to forget the poor ex-PM and ex-ambassador. Since, Arsalan Iftikhar is a “special case” comprising of “special characters”, “special treatment” should not be measured very odd one out. The whole country is being baffled by the chaos; this novel case is creating every single day. What to talk of immature delaying tactics played the “seemingly spoiled lad”, either to drag the controversy to some other level or to hide under irrelevant objections over investigations. His bewildered manners reflect a lot of interesting aspects people can “imagine”. One can only wonder what could be the purpose to avoid being investigated or delaying the whole process which can ultimately prove him innocent and restore dignity of his father.
The review petition proceedings are another interesting episode. All apologies but the honorable judges seem to be confused about the course they want to adopt as being neutral and “sympathetic” at the same time. The plea of Arsalan to dissolve JIT was accepted with all sympathetic concerns and plea of Malik Riaz against victimization in lower courts was rejected ruthlessly. The reasons for such decisions are of course best known to honorable judges but justice must have its course without any influences and sympathies to one party. Now one party doesn’t trust govt investigation agencies and other party doesn’t seem to trust formation of judicial commission.
The future course is yet to be decided but a crucial process of investigation must not be hampered through lame excuses. This is a real testing time for the two member bench to appear above all influences and prove that justice will not only prevail but rule rationally for all.
RAYAN BASHIR
Lahore
