A special court on Saturday granted Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) a four-day physical remand of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman Zafarul Haq Hijazi to probe allegations of tampering with record related to the Sharif family's business entities. Appearing before the court, FIA prosecutor sought a 10-day remand of Hijazi for further investigation. However, the court granted a four-day physical remand, directing the FIA to produce Hijazi before the court on July 26.

On this occasion, police tried to push media persons out of the courtroom; however, the judge of the special court allowed journalists to cover the proceedings. After taking SECP Chairman Hijazi into custody on Friday last, the FIA shifted him to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) as he felt pain in his kidneys. After undergoing certain medical tests at PIMS, Hijazi was diagnosed with a kidney infection.

The result of Hijazi's heart exercise tolerance test (ETT) was found to be positive, however, he was shifted to Critical Care Unit (CCU) for treatment of his kidney infection, said Dr Faisal Kakar from the administration wing of PIMS. While talking to media persons on Saturday, he said that at present, Hijazi is in CCU and his various tests are being conducted. The SECP chairman has some kind of kidney problem. "I will be able to tell about his exact situation after receiving reports of various tests," he said.

He said that another round of medical tests will be conducted on Sunday. He said that a decision whether or not he would be admitted will be taken after reviewing results of Hijazi's tests. Earlier, joint investigation team (JIT) probing Sharif family in Panama Papers case filed complaint before the Supreme Court that Zafarul Haq Hijazi provided tampered documents for examination of the team.

In pursuance of the Supreme Court's directives, FIA formed a team to probe the allegations against Hijazi. FIA team submitted a 28-page inquiry report before the Supreme Court on July 9, in which it endorsed the stance of the JIT. Consequently, the FIA registered a criminal case against Hijazi who succeeded to secure a protective bail from Islamabad High Court and then a special court granted him bail before arrest.

On July 21, the bench accepting the plea of FIA prosecutor rejected Hijazi's bail plea after which the FIA arrested Hijazi. Meanwhile, sources close to the Finance Ministry said that Hijazi has not been removed from his post yet while a notification pertaining to appointment of new chairman is likely to be issued on July 24 (tomorrow). Senior most commissioner of SECP, Commissioner Legal Tahir Mahmood is believed to be the favourite for the post of SECP chairman while a notification in this regard is expected on July 24.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017