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Pakistan

Riaz throws ball into CJP's court

Dunya News

Malik Riaz says there is no free, it is being run by a don called Arsalan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad business tycoon Malik Riaz accused Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry of holding secret meetings in the darkness of nights with him in the presence of Arsalan Iftikhar.Malik Riaz, holding a pocket Holy Quran in one hand, questioned Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry before the media.“I have come here with the Holy Quran, just like the chief justice did.”He posed three questions for the chief justice.Riaz asked the chief justice to tell the nation how many times they have met during the night, and if his son Dr Arsalan Iftikhar did not know him.He further questioned the chief justice to tell how many times the prime minister and the CJ met at his partner Ahmed Khalil’s residence.“Place this Holy Quran in front of you and tell the people”For how long have you not known about this? Why did you not take a suo motu then?He said CJP took suo motu notice only when the media broke the news, he said.He said CJP should swear when he came to know about Arsalan’s wrongdoings and why he didn’t take suo motu action then”.He said the a joint friend of his and CJ informed the latter about the blackmailing of his son but he (CJ) denied them saying, Malik Riaz is a blackmailer”.Riaz said the CJ should not have take up case against him, adding that the FIA was ordered to implicate him in a murder case.“I have put my business at stake but now I will not tolerate all this,” he said.He said he would not do any business in futureHolding up the Holy Quran, he said no third party was behind the episode.He said he was being pushed to wall and blackmailers were sent after me.Where should I go?, Riaz questioned, adding despite being blackmailed he continued to bear the trouble to avoid destroying his credibility and his career.“I cannot see this country collapsing. I have helped built it.”He further claimed that there was no free judiciary in the country and it is being run by a ‘don’. “Arsalan Iftikhar is the don.”However, Malik Riaz clarified that he had not accused the Chief Justice of anything and respected him.“Even today I respect the chief justice. Even today, I have submitted my reply in written to the court and I stand by my statement,” Riaz said, adding that he even wrote a book in 2007 in favor of the chief justice during Musharraf’s tenure.“I also offered him my bullet-proof vehicle. ”He said he was ready to face contempt of court charge and go to jail.“I’m ready to die. I’m not afraid of the jails,” he said.He said he would make more disclosure in a few day.In reaction to this the Supreme Court Registrar Faqir Hussain said that Malik Riaz had met with Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry during the days of his deposition.Talking to a talk show at Dunya TV Faqir Hussain said two to three such meetings had taken place but the Chief Justice held no meetings with Riaz after his restoration.Meanwhile, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has confirmed that he had informed the Chief Justice about the rumours about Dr Arsalan Iftikhar’s dubious business transactions with Malik Riaz Hussain.