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Arsalan case: SC asks Malik Riaz to record statement today

Dunya News

Supreme Court has asked Malik Riaz to record statement today in Arsalan Iftikhar case.

During hearing on Monday, Justice Jawad Khawaja of the 2-member bench investigating the Arsalan Iftikhar case has said that an open transparent trial to confirm media reports regarding the case was imperative.The 2-member bench of Supreme Court, comprising Justice Jawad Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain opened up the hearing of the Arsalan Iftikhar case on Monday, whence Arsalan Iftikhar opened up an emotional tirade on rostrum, against “media and Malik Riaz for wrongly implicating my family into the case”, requesting that, while he was even ready to face jail under (proven) consequences, at least the joint tirade of media and Malik Riaz against his family should be reigned in.Justice Jawad expressing displeasure, admonished Arsalan over his imprudent behavior for apex court, advising him to leave the details to his attorney(s).“This case is of utter importance, since no other case is being currently being debated throughout Pakistan”, remarked Justice Jawad, while seeking the view of attorneys of both sides over the section(s) according to which the case of any possible graft given to Arsalan, was to be pursued.The Attorney for Arsalan Iftikhar, Sardar Ishaq referred to section PPC-420, while Zahid Bukhari outlined sections PGC-383/384, pertaining to extortion money and carrying a 3-year sentence.However, Justice Khilji rejected PGC-383/384, over which Zahid Bukhari reiterated his request for grace period to prepare his detailed response.Zahid Bukhari prayed that Apex Court could not investigate the issue, but could either be handed over to any investigative concern or “a commission based on form of Memo-Commission, since even the Memo-commission had been formed by Court over media statements and sworn testimonies”.Justice Jawad expressed displeasure of failure of Malik Riaz to appear in Court, over which Zahid Bukhari prayed that his client was ill and under treatment abroad, “Yet he is still arriving in Country by Tuesday, despite being ordered rest and refrain from traveling by doctors”, adding that this depicted Malik Riaz’s sheer respect for Court(s).Zahid Bukhari requested for 2-days grace for detailed answer, which was objected to by Justice Jawad Khawaja, since he was chagrined over the media hype over the issue, necessitating urgent measures.On the occasion, Arsalan’s attorney read out the detailed answer of Arsalan, in which Arsalan had refuted any connection or relation with Malik Riaz, and /or his son-in-law.However Justice Jawad did probe about one character, Zahid Rehman, who was determined as one who had arranged flats in London. Meanwhile Ali Zafar advocate representing Bahria Town, who presented detailed record of Bahria Town since 1986, through the good offices of FBR (Federal Board of Revenue).On the occasion, Arsalan’s attorney also filed his client’s application, in which Arsalan had demanded that imprudent attitude of media, and Malik Riaz of flinging accusations at Arsalan’s family should be reigned-in.He cited a specific TV program anchored by Hamid Mir, in which the snapshots of Arsalan’s sisters and mother were displayed; warning that if this sequence was ever uploaded by universally viewed “U-Tube” portal, it would have serious consequences.However Justice Jawad declared it as kind of media trail, which was also endorsed by general public. “For all its certain shortcomings, media was aware of its responsibilities.Sardar Ishaq’s reference to threats to his client’s (Arsalan’s) life was also strongly discounted by Malik Raiz’s attorney, who vehemently denied his client’s projected volatility.Justice Jawad was also chagrined over failure of Bahria Town administration’s failure to provide details about share holdings of Bahria Town, which were divulged by SECP, according to which Ali Riaz owned 25 per cent, while Bina Riaz owned 74 per cent.