Malik Riaz, the central character of alleged graft case of Arsalan Iftikhar, on Tuesday
appeared before the media and gave vent to accusations against the son
of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, adding he respects the
Chief Justice of Pakistan but only wants justice for him.
Carrying a copy of the Holy Quran in his hand and using harsh words
against the Chief Justice, the aggressive business tycoon spoke at a
crowded press conference, directly hitting the CJP.
“I want answers of three questions from the CJP. He should tell the
nation that how many times he met me in the darkness,” Riaz said.
“Arsalan Iftikhar and serving Registrar of the Supreme Court was also
present in the meetings,” he accused, and said “Our common friend had
informed the CJP about misdeeds of his son but Mr. Chaudhry didn’t take
any action against him.” He, however, didn’t elaborate why the meetings
took place.
Riaz denied giving any bribe, but claimed innocence. “I was
blackmailed by those who enjoy powers in judiciary. I haven’t ever
bribed to anyone.”
He accused Arsalan Iftikhar of influencing the court. “Arsalan is
running the Supreme Court like a don, but his father might be innocent.”
He said “75 percent of my assets are being used for a common man, but
the court in harming my business, the court will solely be responsible
if my business was ruined.”
Riaz faced fiery questions hurled by the reporters, but evaded many
of them, concluding his press conference in less than 35 minutes.
Business tycoon Malik Raiz asked three questions from Chief Justice
Iftikar Muhammad during a news conference. Riaz holding the Quran in his
right hand asked:
1. Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should reveal
how many times I (Malik Riaz) have met you in the middle of the night?
Was Arsalan Iftikhar not a part of these meetings, does he not know me?
The sitting Registrar was also present during several of these meetings.
2. How many meetings were held at the residence of Ahmed Khalil
between the Chief Justice and Prime Minister and was there not an acting
judge of the Supreme Court present during one of the meetings?
3. How long did the Chief Justice know about this case and why did he wait till media reports to take suo moto notice.
Malik Riaz said that he was blackmailed and did not pay any bribes.
He described Arsalan Iftikhar as ‘Don’ adding that he was the one
running the judiciary.
Malik Riaz clarified that he had not accused the Chief Justice of anything and respected him.
When asked of repercussions which may arise following such a news
conference, Malik Riaz replied that he did not care if he was charged
with contempt or sent to prison.
During the press conference, Riaz raised various questions on the
transparency of Arsalan Iftikhar suo moto case and made claims that he
met Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in the presence of his son, Arsalan
Iftikhar. He said that the Chief Justice knew about the business
dealings and should have taken suo moto action before the media broke
this news.
He alleged that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met Iftikhar
Chaudhry at Khalil Ahmed’s residence, who is considered to be an
associate of Riaz.
He further admitted that he has been blackmailed as a businessman and
said that, “I did not bribe anyone but was blackmailed. Blackmailers
were assigned to follow me and I did not bribe anyone, my son-in-law
did.”
Riaz concluded the press conference by saying that he will address
the media representatives again after three days and will present
important evidence.
He said that he really respects Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice
Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, but unfortunately “Don” like Arsalan
Iftikhar was running the judiciary.
He said from today he would not do any business with anyone. He also asked others to not do any business with him.
He said that he was not fear of going jails. He claimed that he faced
MI and ISI in the past. His 75 percent assets being used on public
welfare, he stated.
He said that he would also unveil other things at an appropriate
time. Replying to a question whether the amount he allegedly gave to
Arsalan was not bribe, he said instead I was blackmailed.
Malik Riaz said he developed Bahria Town through sheer dint of hard
work and honesty and today over four hundred thousand people are members
of his society and it employs twenty-one thousand people. He said if
Bahria Town project flopped then the entire responsibility would fall on
the Supreme Court.
He also alleged that in Punjab Ch. Nisar Ali Khan was teasing him and in Islamabad he was being squeezed by the Supreme Court.
Malik Riaz declined to respond to a volley of questions by
journalists and instead said he would drop more bombs at a press
conference after two/three days. SANA
