ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) has suspended the decision of
initiation of departmental action against Zafar Qureshi, investigation
officer in NICL case saying no departmental action can be taken against
him unless NICL case is decided,.
The court also issued orders
that transfer orders of 4 investigation officers of FIA also be
suspended immediately. A 3-member bench of SC presided over by the
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up NICL
land scandal case for hearing Thursday.
During the course of hearing report about suspension of Zafar Qureshi from service was presented in the court.
Expressing
grave concern over suspension of Zafar Qureshi CJP said what was the
fault of Zafar Qureshi that he was suspended. Political interference
had been started in the courts, he said. Why the government does not
implement court orders, he questioned. Whosoever is punished by the
court or against whom decision comes the government elevates him to
senior post. Kamran Lashari has been appointed secretary housing, he
observed. It is beyond comprehension as to why government is rewarding
him rather than taking action against him, CJP inquired.
Citing
to media reports during the hearing the CJP said a federal minister
gave four options to Zafar Qureshi which included option for bail of
Moonis Elahi. Four top functionaries including Chaudhry Shujaat had
announced the decision of suspension of Zafar Qureshi.
Suspending
Zafar Qureshi is tantamount to let down court, CJP said. Attorney
General (AG) should tell as to why government wanted to let down court
, he observed. AG should verify this court is really a SC, he further
observed.
CJP asked AG to tell the government institutions don’t run this way and they only grow more weak.
The
court ordered for immediate suspension of transfer orders of four
investigation officers of FIA saying courts would not be allowed to be
influenced politically. Court knows it well how to get implement its
decisions. Government should not pave the way for confrontation with
courts and instead implement its decisions.
The hearing of the case has been adjourned till July, 13.
It
may be recalled that government earlier had removed Zafar Qureshi
additional director from FIA and appointed him as Managing Director
(MD) National Police Foundation. SC took notice of government step for
removal of Zafar Qureshi from FIA and asked government repeatedly to
reappoint him as investigation officer. However the court suspended
notification of his transfer when government started pursuing dilatory
tactics. The court reassigned the task of investigation to Zafar
Qureshi. But the government suspended Zafar Qureshi on the charges of
misconduct on the second day of SC orders with regard to suspension of
his transfer orders. Government also transferred four other
investigation officers in NICL case to remote areas. Online
