SC directs depts to cooperate with FIA in Asghar Khan case

LAHORE: The Supreme court on Tuesday ordered all departments to cooperate with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Asghar Khan case.

The court also directed FIA Director General Bashir Memon to continue work on his post till the completion of investigations.

The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the orders while hearing an application filed for implementation of verdict in Asghar Khan case.

At the outset of proceedings, the Chief Justice observed that investigations should be completed without any wastage of time, saying that no further delay would be tolerated in the matter.

DG FIA Bashir Memon submitted that statement of former premier Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had been received, in response to a court query.

At this, the Chief Justice observed that persons who had been summoned by FIA must appear before it. He then directed all departments including Defence Ministry to cooperate with FIA.

The Chief Justice also remarked that former president Gen. (retd) Pervez Musharraf should show how brave he is by returning to the country as the obstacles in his path have been removed.

Politicians Javed Hashmi, Mir Haasil Bizenjo, Abida Hussain, Ghulam Mustafa Khar and former ISI chief Asad Durrani were also present in the court.

It is pertinent to mention here that Asghar Khan had petitioned the Supreme Court in 1996 alleging that the two senior army officers and the then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had distributed Rs 140 million among several politicians ahead of the 1990 polls to ensure Benazir Bhutto's defeat in the polls.

In 2012, the apex court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency to initiate a transparent investigation and subsequent trial if sufficient evidence is found against the former army officers. The investigation is yet to conclude.