News
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Rs 7 billion drug quota scandalPM takes his son’s case to cabinet
* Gilani takes cabinet into confidence about allegations against Ali Musa
* Says findings of various inquiries made no mention of influence exercised by his son
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday took the cabinet into confidence over his son Syed Ali Musa Gilani’s alleged involvement in the Rs 7 billion drug quota scandal.
The prime minister stated that various inquiries into the matter, including one by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, made no mention of Musa Gilani in their findings. He said an inquiry committee had been set up under the directions of the standing committee, which included federal drug inspector, FIA deputy director, and the Quality Control Islamabad chairman. It did not find any evidence that could prove Musa Gilani’s involvement in the scandal.
The standing committee chairman constituted another committee consisting of a joint team of experts, FIA, Quality Control chairman and federal inspector drugs to ascertain the substance used by pharmaceutical companies in the country. This committee also could not link the premier’s son to the issue. Gilani told the cabinet that a joint investigation committee constituted by the former minister of health also could not link Musa Gilani to the case.
The premier noted that his elder son, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, was earlier implicated in the Hajj scandal. The chief justice of Pakistan in that case had directed the authorities concerned to register a case against the MNA who levelled allegations against Qadir Gilani merely on the basis of hearsay. The cabinet expressed its grave concern over the “character assassination” of the family members of the prime minister and expressed its resolve to prevent such “victimisation” by presenting correct facts and figures at all forums.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Anti-Narcotics Force Regional Director Brig Faheem Ahmad Khan and Deputy Director Abid Zulfikar, both of whom had been investigating the scandal, to continue their probe. The two had been transferred earlier, apparently in an attempt to hinder the investigation. The court had also issued notices to acting Narcotics Control Secretary Zafar Abbas, the health secretary, attorney general, former ANF DG Shakeel Hussain and directors of two pharmaceutical companies. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk