What is the status of investigation?" was the Chief Justice's question to Sahibzada Rafat Rauf, Director Investigation. The CJ added that even if allegations were against lawyers the law will have to take its course."
In November last year, Sheikh Afzal, chief executive of Haris Steel Industry, had alleged that Babar Awan (Federal Minister for Law) took Rs 35 million, Sharifuddin Pirzada Rs 10 million, Malik Muhammad Qayyum the then Attorney General, Rs 20 million and Ali Wasim, son of Senator Wasim Sajjad, Rs 7.5 million particularly for winning the verdict of his choice from the court.
In addition to these leading lawyers, Afzal alleged he had given Rs 400 to Rs 500 million to Hamesh Khan, the then President of Bank of Punjab (BoP), Rs 30 million to Aziz Ahmed, control risk manager of the bank, Rs 50 million to Haroon Aziz, Rs 10 million to Shoaib Qureshi, Rs 40 million to Saleem Mirza, Treasury head of the bank, Rs 5 million to Fazeel Asghar who helped him flee the country despite being on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Rauf highlighted the name of Sarfraz Merchant saying that he, according to Sheikh Afzal, had taken Rs 24 million for an undertaking of favourable verdict from the court. He said that Sarfraz Merchant was not co-operating with the NAB in investigation. The Authority has been told that he is in the UK for last one year.
Bring him back and investigate, remarked the bench adding, if Hamesh Khan can be extradited, he should also be brought back. In addition, the officer told the bench that Mohsin Naqvi, a journalist was also blamed by Sheikh Afzal for having taken money and he had deposited Rs 3.5 million with the NAB.
The court directed the NAB to submit a progress report regarding the issue on the next date of hearing on May 26. Meanwhile, the bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday was informed that Hamesh Khan, former president BoP, was due to reach Lahore from the US at 6:30pm.
The court acclaimed efforts of the NAB, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Foreign Office for successful extradition of Hamesh Khan from the US. However, the court directed the NAB authorities not to employ any third degree method while dealing with Hamesh Khan.
Hamesh Khan will be produced before the court on May 26. Khawaja Haris, counsel for BoP, informed the court that it had completed the process of documentation of properties of the accused family for the recovery of money. He also apprised the bench regarding a committee, which would look after the disposal of Sheikh Afzal's properties for the recovery of defaulted money.