News
Saturday, January 28, 2012
FIA produces Khurram Rasool in Supreme Court* CJP says case has become high profile, will give rise to sensitive matters
* Rasool tells court he had been adviser to prime minister
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday produced former Pakistan Television (PTV) media coordinator, Khurram Rasool, before the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the case had become a high profile one and could give rise to sensitive matters.
He made the observation while heading a three-member bench also comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez, which was hearing a petition filed by Parvez Hussain and others against Mian Khurram Rasool, alleging he had swindled Rs 630 million.
Rasool told the court that he had not committed any fraud and had instead done a business deal with the petitioner. He added that he had paid about 80 percent of the outstanding amount, and was ready to pay back the remaining Rs 100-110 million.
He said the petitioners were threatening his family, and falsely implicating the prime minister in the matter.
“Basically I am a businessman, however, I quit my business when I was appointed the PM’s media coordinator,” Khurram said.
FIA’s Director (Law) Muhammad Azam Khan denied that the accused had ever been adviser to the prime minister.
Petitioner’s counsel Rasheed A Rizvi contended that the accused had made no payment and the cheques given by him were also dishonoured.
The court noted that despite registration of the case back in March 2011, the FIA had failed to arrest the accused, despite repeated directions to the FIA director general, and adjourned the hearing until February 10. The court also directed the FIA DG to personally appear before the court in the next hearing.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk