Zafar Qureshi, two reporters of The News to appear before SC today | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Zafar Qureshi, two reporters of The News to appear before SC today

ISLAMABAD: Judicial Commission on Political Interference in NICL scam is all set to pinpoint those who financed the malicious campaign against the judiciary on the electronic media and in the first instance has summoned Additional Director General Federal Investigation Agency, Zafar Ahmad Qureshi, and two reporters of The News, Ahmad Noorani and Usman Manzoor today (Wednesday).

In the August 8, 2011 order, Justice Ghulam Rabbani was appointed by the Chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to enquire the political intervention in the NICL scam and to pinpoint the financers of malicious campaign against judiciary.

It is pertinent to mention here that Zafar Qureshi was reinstated by the SC on July 1, 2011 after that PML-Q leaders met Prime Minister Gilani in presence of Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and right after the meeting Qureshi was suspended and major newspapers reported that decision of suspension of Zafar Qureshi was made in that meeting.

On next day, Interior Minister summoned Qureshi and threatened him and gave him four options which was reported by The News exclusively. On the other hand the FIA prosecution Lahore is trying its best to bail out the scion of senior minister of the cabinet in NICL scam.

The SC order in Zafar Qureshi case says, “As it has been held above that prima facie Mr. Zafar Ahmad Qureshi, Addl. D.G. was suspended due to political intervention followed by propaganda against judiciary on electronic media to undermine its authority, therefore, to ascertain these and ancillary questions Mr. Justice Ghulam Rabbani, Hon’ble Judge of this Court is appointed to conduct enquiry and submit report on the basis of evidence, which he will be empowered to collect to determine:

(i) Whether before suspending Mr. Zafar Ahmad Qureshi, pressure was exerted upon him by the Interior Minister etc. as it has been reported in the newspapers due to political expediency, if so, to what consequences?

(ii) Responsibility shall be fixed individually or collectively against the persons responsible for making investment to run the campaign against the judiciary on the electronic media as it has been noted hereinabove. On having determined the particulars of the persons responsible for launching the propaganda campaign against the judiciary what action against him and or them is called for, to maintain the dignity and honour of the Courts. We would expect from him to complete the inquiry expeditiously in the interest of justice.”
Source: The News
Date:8/17/2011