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Thursday, July 04, 2013
SC admits plea against Malik Riaz, two ex-navy chiefsISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has allowed preliminary hearing of a petition against business tycoon Malik Riaz and two former chiefs of naval staff, namely Fasih Bukhari and Aziz Mirza, for converting a welfare housing scheme for the Pakistan Navy employees into Bahria Town in 1995 and using it for commercial purposes.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, rejected the registrar office’s objections over the petition, which has been filed by Pakistan Navy’s retired Captain Hassan Ilyas Kaifi against Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz. The petitioner, through his counsel Shahbaz, contended that the Bahria Housing Scheme (Foundation) was formed under the supervision of the naval chief for the welfare of navy’s employees and to give them plots on lower prices. He said that Bahria Foundation had signed a joint venture agreement with Hussain Global Company, which was being run by Malik Riaz in 1995. But with the passage of time, 20 amendments were made in the joint venture agreement and Bahria Foundation was converted into Bahria Town, which has been completely taken over by Malik Riaz. The petitioner said that everything in this regard happened in the tenure of two former chiefs of naval staff, Fasih Bukhari and Aziz Mirza. The applicant said that no plot was given to any navy employee in the past. Justice Ijaz Ahmad said that the petition could be entertained under Article 184(3) of the constitution. hasnaat malik
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk