Indian Parliamentarian Shatrughan Sinha calls on Ch Shujat Hussain, Ch Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi

Shatrughan Sinha calls on Ch Shujat Hussain, Ch Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi

A grand reception of Moonis Elahi in Gujrat

Moonis Elahi leaves for London for condolence

Moonis Elahi declared innocent in NICL case

LAHORE: PML-Q President, Senator Ch Shujat Hussain on Friday said his family had always reposed confidence in the free judiciary and Moonis Elahi’s acquittal was reflective of freedom of judiciary and victory of truth over fiction.

Talking to the jubilant Leaguers and workers on the release of Moonis Elahi at his residence here, he said our heads are bowed before the Almighty Allah on MPA Moonis Elahi’s acquittal, adding that PML-Q was equally thankful to the judiciary.

With reference to free judiciary in the country, Ch Shujat Hussain said Moonis returned to the country fearlessly after he heard of the false cases against him, adding that he had complete faith in the integrity of institutions in the country.

Senior PML-Q leader, Federal Minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi, PML-Q leaders Ch Wajahat Hussain, Ch Shafat Hussain and Rasikh Elahi have thanked the leaguers for their constant support and steadfastness during Moonis Elahi’s trial.

The judge took strong exception to FIA’s failure to submit a complete challan.

Lahore (17 September 2011) District and Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqeem as Special Judge Banking Court today on the FIA’s 15 day extension request has adjourned the NICL case hearing till September 26. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer Amjad Parvez opposing the FIA’s 15 day extension request on legal grounds accused the investigation agency of blatantly wasting the court’s time and violating its orders. He further accused the FIA of deliberately obstructing the course of justice to prolong Moonis Elahi’s incarceration.

Moonis Elahi’s defence lawyer citing examples of the delaying tactics employed by the FIA said that on Zafar Qureshi’s Aug 18 request asking the court for an additional one month for further investigation the court gave him time till September 6, on Sept 6 in response to the FIA’s demand for further time for the appointment of a prosecutor the court allowed the FIA further grace time till September 17 but the FIA had neither appointed a prosecutor and nor had purportedly completed its investigation.

He said that Zafar Qureshi’s request for a further 15 day extension to present the final challan was illegal as two challans of the same case could not be presented. He demanded the court to order Zafar Qureshi to apprize the court as to why the FIA had failed to appoint a prosecutor and present the final challan thus far. He asked to be informed that if the FIA had still not appointed a prosecutor then who was presenting the interim challan, producing new witnesses and asking the court on Zafar Qureshi’s behalf for further time relaxation.

He wanted to know the antecedents of the individual presently appearing on behalf of the FIA and if he was not a prosecutor. The court in its decision ordered the FIA to present the final challan and the new prosecutor on September 26 failing which the court ruled that it could call Zafar Qureshi.

Instead of blowing his own horn Shahbaz Sharif should do something concrete for dengue elimination: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (September 8, 2011) Senior leader Pakistan Muslim League Moonis Elahi in a press statement released in Lahore today strongly criticized the Punjab government for the dengue outbreak in the province and especially in the provincial metropolis. He held Shahbaz Sharif personally responsible for the deaths caused due to dengue virus in the province. He accused the Punjab chief minister of being too occupied in blowing his own horn when he should have been actually doing something concrete to eradicate the dengue menace. Historians will remember the self-proclaimed Khadim e Ala as one ranting and raving chief minister of Punjab whose favorite pastime was his own trumpet blowing while the people were left to suffer at the hands of poverty, unemployment, criminal elements and now the dengue mosquito, said Moonis Elahi.

He called upon Shahbaz Sharif to quit his cheap one man show politics and provide the common man with immediate medical relief against the killer virus at government hospitals including the free supply of platelets and medicines for the distressed. Moonis Elahi stated that Shahbaz Sharif government had billions to spend on Jaati Umra expressway but no money for dengue treatment. Strongly criticizing the sasti roti scam, Ashyana scheme, yellow cab stunt, Moonis Elahi said that Shahbaz government had done nothing for the people except launch bogus schemes and cash upon projects launched by the PML government of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.

He further accused Shahbaz Sharif of missing no opportunity of self praise and projection while in reality he had not even bothered to appoint a full time provincial health minister since 2008. Dengue spread in the previous years should have been enough for the government to get going this year for its eradication but what came out were negligence, incompetency and sheer indifference to public problems in Punjab, stated Moonis Elahi. He further stated that his party would expose the real faces and actual causes behind the spread of dengue disease in the coming session of the Punjab Assembly. We want to bring the actual culprits responsible for dengue outbreak in Punjab in the dock, Moonis Elahi stated at the conclusion of his statement.

NICL Case: Moonis Elahi’s case hearing adjourned till Sept 17

Published: September 07, 2011

LAHORE – The defense counsel in the National Insurance Corporation scam on Tuesday alleged that FIA Additional Director General Zafar Qureshi gave the impression in his letter to the sessions court “as if he is dictating the court”.

Moonis Elahi

Additional District and Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqim Ahmad on Tuesday also admonished the FIA officials for not appointing its permanent representative for hearing of the case. The judge remarked this when Moonis Elahi’s counsel raised objection on FIA officials’ application seeking more time to submit the complete investigation report. Earlier, the FIA had also sought one-month time for completion and submission of fresh challan in NICL scam, whereas Moonis had filed an acquittal application through his counsels.

On Tuesday, Moonis’s counsel requested the court that his client should also be given relief if FIA was being given time for submission of fresh challan. He said the language used in Zafar’s letter to the Judge showed that Zafar was trying to dictate the court instead of following and respecting the court. The defense counsel stated that Moonis had returned to the country voluntarily for appearing before judiciary.

Moonis Elahi moves Supreme Court for early hearing of review petition

Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League has submitted an application in the Supreme Court for an early review of his request expressing reservations against Investigation Officer Zafar Qureshi.

The application filed through Advocate Ejaz Ahmad on Monday stated that the accused has been badly affected by the Supreme Court decision on 8th August.

The accused submitted before the court that investigation has been given to an official who is not impartial and holds negative views about him.

Moonis Elahi through his application requested consideration of his review application on 9th September. Advocate Babar Awan is expected to appear for Moonis Elahi in the court.

Moonis Elahi challenges Zafar Qureshi’s reposting

ISLAMABAD – Moonis Elahi has challenged the Supreme Court’s decision for reassigning NICL case investigation to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer Zafar Qureshi.

 Moonis Elahi, who is a PML-Q leader and son of Ch Pervaiz Elahi, is the main accused in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam.

On Thursday, he filed the review petition through Babar Awan against the apex court’s decision to repost FIA Additional Director General Zafar Qureshi in the multi-billion rupee scam. The sources told The Nation that former law minister and PPP leader Babar Awan, in his capacity as a counsel of Moonis, would file two more petitions in the Supreme Court in order to prevent Zafar Qureshi from investigating NICL scam.

In his Thursday’s plea he prayed the court to remove Qureshi as head of the investigation team, claiming that Qureshi may not investigate the case impartially because on February 17, 2011 he had filed a written statement at the Supreme Court stating Moonis Elahi was threatening him. Therefore, it was unlikely that Qureshi would conduct an unbiased investigation, he added.

 Babar contended that the court had reposted Zafar Qureshi to investigate NICL case without hearing his point of view which was against the interest of the justice and Article 10A of the constitution. He pleaded the court to admit his review petition for hearing his stance. He said his client has expressed confidence in all the members of the investigation team except Qureshi. The counsel also requested that the court should stop the investigation of the case till the decision on review petition.

The court on August 8 had quashed the federal government’s order regarding the suspension of FIA ADG Zafar Qureshi and directed him to resume NICL probe forthwith and complete the inquiry expeditiously.

The adjournment of the acquittal petition was a clear violation of the written order dated 18 May 2011 of a three member Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry

Lahore (August 18, 2011) The hearing of Moonis Elahi’s acquittal petition in the NICL case has been adjourned to 6 September on the request of Additional Director General FIA Zaffar Qureshi.  Today as soon as the NICL case hearing began in the court of District Judge Mujahid Mustaqeem, FIA’s Zaffar Qureshi moved a written request asking for a one month adjournment.  The learned judge after a short suspension of proceedings accepted Zaffar Qureshi’s request.  On this unexpected decision, Moonis Elahi’s lawyers argued that the adjournment of the acquittal petition was a clear violation of the written order dated 18 May 2011 of a three member Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry according to which the courts were fully independent in trying Moonis Elahi and they were not to be influenced by the trial of the NICL case in the Supreme Court.  The said order was issued on the request that Moonis Elahi was not getting his due legal relief because the NICL case was also being heard in the Supreme Court, further argued Moonis Elahi’s lawyers.

Rai Bashir Ahmed advocate arguing in the court said that in his 40 years of legal experience never before had an investigation officer ordered the court to grant him one month period for investigation.  The investigation officer of the said case is Chaudhry Ashgar who is still to appear in the court, pleaded Moonis Elahi’s lawyer. He further pleaded that Zaffar Qureshi had deliberately misinformed the court about being unable to complete the investigation due to his transfer on April 18, 2011. He argued that Zaffar Qureshi on March 21, 2011 had informed the honourable court of having completed investigations in two cases and of submitting final case challans. He said that the court should take action against Zaffar Qureshi for furnishing false information to the court. Moonis Elahi’s defence lawyer accused the FIA of turning the case into a personal feud after failing to bring up anything against his client. Later talking to the media, Moonis Elahi’s team of defence lawyers said that they would contest today’s decision right up to the Supreme Court. They particularly pointed out at the honourable judge’s unwarranted suspension of today’s court proceedings twice for 10 and 45 minutes respectively and for staying in the retiring room without specifying any reason.

Earlier, Moonis Elahi was brought amid tight security to the court. A large number of PML workers had come to show their solidarity with the incarcerated leader including Abdullah Yousaf Warraich, Aamna Ulfat, Samina Khawar Hayyat, Seemal Kamran, Umer Farooq Dar

Moonis Elahi case adjourned until August 18

LAHORE : August 16,

Hearing of the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) scam against Moonis Elahi and others has been adjourned until August 18 as the judge concerned, Mujahid Mustaqeem, is on leave. On Tuesday, counsel for the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) had to record arguments before District and Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqeem on an application filed by Moonis Elahi, seeking his acquittal in the case under 265-K of CrPC.

An open letter of Mr. Moonis Elahi, Addressed to All Pakistanis Including the Ideological Workers of Pakistan Muslim League

An open letter of Mr. Moonis Elahi, Senior Central Leader Pakistan Muslim League

Addressed to All Pakistanis Including the Ideological Workers of Pakistan Muslim League  (the Party Which Founded Pakistan)

Mian Nawaz Sharif’s statement on the eve of Pakistan’s 65^th Independence Day, pronouncing the Indian gods and culture similar as that of Pakistan is not only a sinister move to undermine the Two Nation theory but also a deliberate attempt at nullifying the sacrifices of countless Muslims for the creation of Pakistan.  It is apparent from his views that the Indian contract for weakening Pakistan’s ideological foundations has been awarded to “Sharif Brothers & Co” who have their head offices located at Jaati Umra of Amritsar, India and their sub-office at Jaati Umra, Raiwind.

It is a great historical fact and an undeniable reality that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam.  The Muslims of the Sub-continent struggled for independence under the leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to live in a society that believed in one God unlike the Hindus who worshipped several gods and goddesses. “The Muslims are a separate nation from the Hindus. Our religion, history, culture, architecture, ways of living and eating habits are diametrically opposed to them”, said the Quaid.

But today, a Pakistani politician who claims to head a faction of Muslim League (the very party which founded Pakistan) has the audacity to challenge the very ethos of Pakistan. What a shame, and that too at a time when the nation is going through the toughest period in its history.

Ironically, in the same speech delivered before his Indian guests, the self-styled “amir ul momineen” while enumerating the similarities between Muslims of Pakistan and the predominantly Hindu India identified the dish of “potatoes and meat” (aalu gosht) as one great similarity. One does not have words to condemn this most fickle exercise at finding commonalities between the two most diverse faiths and nations. If “aalu gosht” is what MNS considers as a binding force between India and Pakistan then he should have kept in mind that the meat Indians relish the most is that of the innocent Kashmiri Mussalmans.

The founding fathers of Pakistan must be turning in their graves at this most preposterous and horrific statement made by a Pakistani politician.

We, Pakistanis have suffered tremendous political and financial blows at the hands of Sharif Brothers and Co and they have been getting away with them, but this time round it will be unpatriotic to let them go Scot free. It is now time to put Nawaz Sharif in the dock and the charge should be of staging treason against the Ideology of Pakistan and hatching a conspiracy against the people of Pakistan. I will end my statement with words of a senior Pakistani journalist known for his patriotic views who said “if Nawaz Sharif has such soft corner for Hindus then he should shift his Jaati Umra residence to Amritsar”.

An open letter of Mr. Moonis Elahi, Addressed to All Pakistanis

NICL scam: Moonis Elahi’s case adjourned till 16th August

LAHORE: District and Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqeem adjourned till August 16, the hearing NICL land scam case of Chaudhary Moonis Elahi as his counsel completed arguments on acquittal application of FIR no 46/10 on Saturday.Appearing before the court Advocate Amjad Pervaiz the counsel of Chaudhary Moonis Elahi accused of National Insurance Company Limited land scam argued and tried to prove that Moonis Elahi the son of former Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhary Parvaiz Elahi had nothing to do with the land scam of NICL.

He argued that all the witnesses of the case who had recorded their statements against Ch. Moonis had denied any sort of involvement of Moonis Elahi in above said scam. He argued that the letter written by Deputy Director FIA to the director FIA about any role of Chaudhary Moonis Elahi in the scam revealed that Moonis was not involve in it. Pervaiz Said repeated all the arguments put in front of special magistrate of banking court Malik Abudur Rasheed.He said that the statements recorded under section 161 of Penal code could not prove allegations leveled against Moonis as they all refused to say anything which could identify implication of Moonis in land scam of NICL.‘Total amount was paid back to NICL’ he said, adding that ‘admittedly there is no allegations neither I nor my family gave him instruction to transfer said money and admittedly at the time of occurrence of NICL scam neither I nor my family held the portfolio in the management of NICL’.

He further said that the statements of PW4 in case and IO of the scam had so much significance which showed that the case against Moonis was case of no evidence.A number of people including lawyers, media men and supporters of PML-Q leader Chaudhary Moonis Elahi were present in the court. Proceeding started at 12:20 pm and continued for almost two hours. Amjad Pervaiz, the counsel of Chaudhary Moonis Elahi fought well and put every thing related and to the point about the case to prove that his client was not involved in it but FIA got him involved on malafied intentions.

He completed his arguments on the case based on FIR number 46/10.The Judge adjourned the hearing till August 16 and FIA officials would appear and argue on the case.

Hearing of NICL scam adjourned

LAHORE -  Lahore District and Sessions Judge Mujahid Mustaqeem adjourned the hearing on Thursday of the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) scam against Moonis Elahi and others until August 13.

Earlier, the court partially heard the defence arguments on an application filed by Moonis seeking acquittal in the case. Moonis’ counsels Amjad Pervaiz Malik and Rai Basher argued that all the private prosecution witnesses did not record their statements before the banking offence special judge; they had only submitted blank papers with their thumb impressions to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) authorities, which were later used to prepare their statements to be presented to the magistrate.
The counsels said the FIA could net recover even a single rupee from Moonis during the investigations and physical remand and the court must acquit the accused, declaring him innocent. After hearing partial arguments from the defence side, the court adjourned the case till August 13.

An Open Letter by Moonis Elahi

An Open Letter by Moonis Elahi

Addressed to the President, Prime Minister, Parliamentarians, National Newspapers and Tv Channels in Response to Rehman Malik’s Tableeghi Jamaat Comments

 

Lahore (30 July 2011) Moonis Elahi the incarcerated central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has sent a strong worded message to the president, prime minister, parliamentarians, editors and bosses of national dailies and television channels in condemnation of the recently made insinuating remarks of Federal Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik about Tableeghi Jamaat -a trans-national Islamic spiritual reformation movement. The following is the full text of his letter:

Dear Sir/s

I did not feel as much perturbed on being framed in a false case as I felt after hearing the Federal Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik’s poisonous comments on the role of Tableeghi Jamaat, made recently in London. Although, this is not the first time that Mr. Malik has come in the lime light for his ‘loose talk’ but this time his comments have not only caused great pain to the Muslims of Pakistan but have also proven to be a source of bitter anguish for the global Muslim community at large. As a Muslim, I feel that it is my religious right and obligation to respond to Mr. Malik’s sullied and irresponsible comments before somebody out of his mind starts taking such nonsensical comments seriously.

As we all know that Tableeghi Jamaat is a trans-national religious movement which primarily aims at Islamic spiritual reformation by working at the grass roots, reaching out to Muslims across all social and economic spectra. This movement has promoted peace and harmony across the world and has always condemned evils like terrorism and sectarianism in unequivocal terms. It is a fact known to everyone that despite holding the second largest congregation of Muslims in the world after Hajj one cannot find a single incident where any of the organizers or participants has ever been allowed to bring fire arms at the congregation venue. It is also an acknowledged fact that millions of Tableeghi Jamaat members have travelled the world far and wide and never has any foreign government or an important foreign dignitary ever held their activities questionable. Even after the 9/11 debacle in the aftermath of which names of many extremist individuals and outfits came to the fore at no occasion was Tableeghi Jamaat branded among them.

Contd. on Page 2

I have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Rehman Malik’s comments have not only hurt the sentiments of the Muslims of Pakistan but have also rendered an irreparable blow to the country’s reputation abroad. If by associating the despicable terms of ‘terrorism and brainwashing’ with a peaceful Islamic movement like Tableeghi Jamaat, Mr. Malik’s intent was to please any worldly power then he should know that casting such aspersions mean nothing to those who place Allah Above All.

I appeal the Honorable President and Prime Minister of the Islamic Democratic Republic of Pakistan to immediately take serious notice of the Federal Interior Minister’s irresponsible remarks. I also appeal the two Excellencies to contemplate promulgation of immediate steps to prevent repetition of such unfortunate incidents in future. And last but not least, I also appeal to the country’s high-ups to particularly ‘Control’ Mr. Rehman Malik from hurting the nation’s sentiments and from repeatedly embarrassing the country and in this particular case the Muslim Ummah by his reckless and irresponsible statements.

 

Humbly Yours,

 

Moonis Elahi

Prediction about Moonis Elahi by Jawed Iqbal Cartoonist

Shujaat accepts Nawaz’s debate challenge in NA

ISLAMABAD (INP) – PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has accepted the challenge by the PML-N to debate in the National Assembly the corruption allegations against Moonis Elahi. Since the deal between Warraich family and the NICL had been cancelled, there was no substance in the propaganda launched by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif against Moonis Elahi, he said.
In an exclusive interview with INP news agency, Shujaat said the PML-Q had not been provided any opportunity to be heard properly at any forum which was against the principles of justice.
He said since day one, they were clear indications that this campaign had been launched by the Sharif family. “Now their claim to debate the issue in the National Assembly will unmask their real face.”
“The propaganda against Moonis was so strong and well-planned that no court was ready to listen to the version of my family,” Shujaat said, adding: “But the PML-N’s claim to debate the issue in parliament would also provide us an opportunity to establish facts against the fiction.”
Shujaat argued how justice could be done if the defendant was not properly heard and only fiction had been preferred to facts.
About his party’s alliance with the ruling PPP, he said his party was looking for a long-term strategic partnership with the PPP and despite some difficulties, it would opt for seat adjustments with the ruling party in next elections.

NICL Scam and the innocence of Moonis Elahi

We have full faith in LHC Chief Justice Moonis Elahi’s Lawyers

Banking Court Judge on Moonis Elahi’s acquittal request unexpectedly sends case to LHC

Unprecedented partiality shown by the learned judge

 Lahore (05-07-2011) During the hearing of the acquittal petition of Moonis Elahi the senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League in the NICL case today the Banking Court Judge Abdul Rasheed unexpectedly refused to further hear the case and sent it to Chief Justice Lahore High Court. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers expressing their strong dissatisfaction on this decision said that the law had not been followed and the learned judge before taking the decision neither heard their arguments nor considered the superior courts’ earlier judgments that had been put before him.

 At the outset of the hearing which instead of morning began at 2pm Moonis Elahi’s lawyers requested the learned judge to take into account the fact that all the eight prosecution witnesses and the FIA’s Investigating Officer had testified to Moonis Elahi’s innocence. Later talking to the media Moonis Elahi’s lawyers Rai Bashir Ahmad and Amjad Parvez said that the attitude of the learned judge from the beginning of the proceedings was inflexible and a test of their nerves. They said that today the learned court was to hear Moonis Elahi’s acquittal petition filed under CRPC 249/A and as a guide line they had also presented the Supreme Court and High Court decisions in this regard as references but the learned judge started putting new questions to Mohammad Maalik instead. On being pointed out that questioning Mohammad Maalik was outside the scope of the acquittal petition the learned judge angrily closed the file and declared that he didn’t want to hear the case and was sending it to Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, said Moonis Elahi’s lawyers. They said that the lawyers had sacrificed their lives and well being for the supremacy of the judiciary but the learned judge’s demeanour today nullified these sacrifices. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers said that the partial behaviour demonstrated by the learned judge today was unprecedented. They said that the learned court could see that the case had clearly gone in Moonis Elahi’s favour and that the FIA had failed to prove his involvement. In this situation there was no other recourse available to the court but to acquit Moonis Elahi, opined the lawyers. It will be a matter of honour if the Lahore High Court Chief Justice hears the case as we have full confidence in him, the lawyers added.

Throughout today’s proceedings a very large number of PML workers and Moonis Elahi supporters remained outside the court and continued to chant slogans in their leader’s favour.

Moonis Elahi files acquittal plea in NICL case

LAHORE: PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi on Friday filed an application in the Banking Offences Court under Section 249-A CrPC, seeking his acquittal in the NICL case.

As per Section 249-A of CrPC, a court can acquit an accused at any stage of the case, if, after hearing the prosecutor and the accused and for reasons to be recorded, it considers that the charges are groundless or that there is no probability of the accused being convicted of any offence.

On Friday, the counsel of Moonis submitted an application in the court contending that all the prosecution witnesses in the scam against Moonis had denied recording of any statement against his client. He said that the trial was a wastage of time both for the court as well as his client as prosecution had failed to level charges against his client. He said that his client was innocent and was implicated only on political grounds.

Previously, eight prosecution witnesses while recording their statements before a magisterial court of Irfan Basra had denied recording of any statement as witness before the FIA. Before the banking court, they had denied opening of any account by Moonis Elahi’s manager Muhammad Maalik and stated that the accounts in question were personally opened and operated by two individuals, namely Adil Manzur and Khadim Rasul.

3 witnesses deny recording statements against Moonis Elahi

Lahore (June 28, 2011) The remaining three prosecution witnesses presented by the FIA today in Lahore Banking Court in the NICL case like the five other prosecution witnesses have also refuted the charges leveled against senior Pakistan Muslim League Leader Moonis Elahi. Earlier during the proceedings the cashier of UBL, Airport Branch, Lahore Safdar Ali testifying before the Honorable Judge Malik Abdur Raheed stated that it was Adil Manzoor who had come to the bank with a cheque and taken the money. He further stated that the FIA had summoned him on Feb-05 where he had not recorded any statement. The second prosecution witness was ABL, Multan Road Branch Vice President Maroor-ur-Rehman who stated that a man named Khadim Rasool had himself come to the bank and opened the account.

He further stated that it was Khadim Rasool who later brought a cheque and took the cash. During investigation I was summoned by the FIA but I had not given any statement to them, testified the ABL Vice President. The third prosecution witness Hafiz Shahid Bilal the cashier at ABL Multan Road Branch also testified that it was only Khadim Rasool who used to come to the branch with cheques for encashment and he had given Khadim Rasool money after his identification. Both the bank cashiers informed the court that they could recognize Adil Manzoor and Khadim Rasool. On the Honorable Judge’s query Hafiz Junaid Shahid after looking at the individuals present in the court room testified that none of them was Khadim Rasool. The bank cashiers also stated that money was only handed over to M/s Adil Manzoor and Khadim Rasool after checking their National Identification cards. After the witnesses’ statements the Honorable Judge adjourned the court hearing till July-5. Earlier Moonis Elahi was brought amid heavy security to the Banking Court where a large number of Pakistan Muslim League’s workers and Moonis Elahi supporters had assembled to express solidarity with him.

NICL Case: FIA denies Moons Elahi’s involvement in main FIR

LAHORE: Wednesday, 22nd, 2011

The FIA deputy director and investigation officer (IO) of National Industrial Corporation Limited (NICL) land scam on Wednesday denied Moonis Elahi’s involvement in the main fraud case of Rs.168 billion.

During his testimony before special banking offences court, the FIA director, Basharat Shahzad, stated that Moonis was not directly involved in subsequent two fraud cases of Rs.320 million.

Meanwhile, another prosecution witness, Hina Rabbai, an employee of the Allied Bank Limited, Multan Road branch, also denied recording of any statement as witness before the FIA. On Wednesday, FIA produced Moois Elahi before the court amid tight security.

NICL Case: FIA denies Moons Elahi’s involvement in main FIR

The FIA deputy director, during cross examination, said that Moonis was not involved in NICL main scam of Rs. 1.68 billion. The whole embezzled amount had also been returned to Commerce secretary, he added.

On this, Moonis counsel asked if his client was also involved in other two FIRs(24/10 and 46/11) related to the scam.

Replying to Moonis counsel, Bashart said that Moonis was not directly involved in both FIRs. He stated that, after getting a questionnaire from Moonis, he had written a letter to the FIA director general that Moonis was not directly involved in both of the subsequent FIRs.

Meanwhile, Hinna Rabbani, while recording her statement, said that FIA had called her on February 5 at about 9pm in FIA office, asking her to record her statement as witness against Moonis but she had not recorded any statement against him.

Summoning further prosecution witnesses, the court adjourned the hearing by June 28.

According to the FIA, Moonis had opened bogus accounts in the name of his manager Abdul Malik and his wife for corruption in NICL.

Later, the FIA lodged two FIRs against Moonis Elahi, alleging that his manger Muhammad Malik had opened forged accounts in Allied Bank Limited, New Airport, and Dubai Islamic Bank Main Boulevard branch. Mohsin Warriach deposited Rs. 320 million, 220 million in first account and 100 million in second account. First FIR was registered on December 27, 2010 while the second was lodged on January 27 this year.

The FIA alleged that the money was actually taken by Moonis Elahi. As per FIA report, Malik had stated that he had opened an account on the instruction of Moonis and an amount of Rs.220 million was allegedly transferred in that account. Later, Malik was resiled from his statement. Eight prosecution witnesses while recoding their statements before a magisterial court also denied recording any statement as witness to the FIA.

The Punjab treasury is empty yet the rulers’ greed and avarice know no bounds: Moonis Elahi

Punjab Assembly Budget 2011-12

Speech of Mr. Moonis Elahi, Member Punjab Assembly

 (Since I have been unjustifiably refused my fundamental right as an elected public representative by none less than the House Custodian himself, I deem it necessary to present my views, analyses and observations to you on this year’s Punjab Budget in writing.  I am exercising my democratic right to opinion, refused otherwise through the following lines. Moonis Elahi)

 

As a member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly and being a representative of the people who had elected me to this august house in 2008, it was my constitutional right and privilege to have been allowed to participate in the Punjab Assembly, 2011-12 Budget Session. The Hon. Speaker’s “NO” for “unknown reasons”, to the point of order raised by Ch. Zaheer ud Din on June 10, 2011, urging him to issue my production orders for the ongoing budget session, denied me that fundamental constitutional right. This denial was a blunt refusal to honour the mandate of the electorate who had chosen me to fight for their rights in the assembly. It was also a denial to democracy to flourish at a forum solely meant to uphold, protect and respect the Will and the Voice of the People. Despite the support of the house and the already existing precedents, the Hon. Speaker by ceding his role as the Custodian of the House may have pleased “someone” but even from a lay man’s point of view, has set in motion a highly unhealthy tradition of negative partisanship and obvious partiality. Also goes without saying that in future whenever replicated the historians will be obliged to put the brunt of this unhealthy tradition’s blame on the present Hon. Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

It is a widely acknowledged fact that the province of Punjab just four years back was a text book example of how a government and a people could come together to bring about an era of unprecedented progress and change. The provincial GDP was well above 8% and 1.4 million new jobs were coming up in the job market every year. During this time, under Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s watchful and welfare oriented administration all sections of the society including farmers, workers, masons, clerks, teachers, doctors, businessmen, minorities etc; were prospering. On the contrary, just four years later all the good work of the Pakistan Muslim League government done till 2007 seems like a distant dream. The people of Punjab are now witnessing an era of unprecedented poverty, deprivation and injustice instead. Today, Punjab’s self-styled Khadim e Ala has turned the province into a laboratory of his ill-conceived experiments that have repeatedly borne disastrous results, but to no avail. In the last four years the once economically surplus Punjab has become an epitome of financial mismanagement. In the name of dubious and short lived schemes like Sasti Roti, Ashyana, Danish Schools and now the reincarnated Yellow Cab Scheme the present rulers of Punjab have skimmed and squandered billions.

Let us first take a critical look at the self-styled Khadim e Ala’s “Bucchat” i.e. savings initiatives. The last three provincial budgets bear testimony to the fact that every year the chief minister has been expending public money way beyond the prescribed limits. The Chief Minister House budget for the past financial year was put at Rs 260 million but by the year’s end an additional amount of Rs. 60 million was spent. The chief minister and his honourable brother are known for doling out public funds and assets as gifts to their favourites. In the past financial year this “glorious” tradition continued and the chief minister gave away gifts worth a generous sum of Rs. 22.5 million out of the government kitty to God knows who. The transport allocation for the chief minister was of Rs. 4 million but here too we see Rs. 20.5 million of public money being spent. Similarly the chief minister could use up to Rs. 30 million as discretionary funds in the last financial plan but instead we see Rs 60 million being indiscreetly blown away in the name of discretionary funds.

The chief minister Punjab is maintaining at government expense two official secretariats and 5 camp offices which are actually his personal residences. Appreciating the fact that the chief minister has to look after a continuously growing number of spouses, it will not be out of place to ask him to look after his sweet hearts from his personal wealth rather than from the already depleted resources of the heart-broken and poor Punjabis.

This year’s Punjab Budget is an outcome of a mindset bent upon brutally ripping the last shreds of flesh from an animal’s carcass. Show no mercy and have no mercy on the poor is what this budget is all about. I wish to draw your attention to the block allocations mentioned in the budget. An enormous sum of Rs. 33 billion has been allocated to roads, water supply and sanitation, higher education, health, transport and planning and development projects. But my question is, whither the projects? As against these allocations not a single individual project has been ascribed.  It seems an obvious conclusion that among other robberies a Rs. 33 billion heist has also been planned through these block allocations. Allow me to call these block allocations as “Black Allocations” instead as they are surreptitiously meant to give the self-styled khadim e Ala a free hand in squandering huge government funds for furthering his vested personal and political aims.

How can one forget the Punjab chief minister’s pronouncement of breaking the begging bowl and not accepting international help? Ironically, he made this announcement just 24 days before this year’s budget. And look at the shameful turn around, as the budget figures show that this year Punjab will receive Rs. 20 billion in the form of international assistance. Why did the chief minister make an announcement and then go back on it? So much for honouring what you profess!

The Sasti Roti Scam is arguably the most thought out rip-off, of the people of Punjab in recent times. According to authentic sources a sum of Rs. 14.5 billion was systematically looted in this scam. In this year’s budget although no amount has been allocated to this disastrous scheme but ironically an amount of Rs 12 million has been allocated to the Sasti Roti Authority. This is a blatant example of nepotism and corruption where the rulers seem to be rewarding their favourites without taking into account their own dismal failures. The poor are getting poorer but the rulers unbothered are continuing with their loot and plunder.

According to the Auditor General’s report a huge amount of Rs. 40 billion is unaccounted for in the Punjab government accounts. Where has this money gone? This is a question that will be thoroughly investigated once the present rulers are voted out by the people.

The inconsistent and temperamental policies of the present Punjab government have turned the province into a waste land and a laboratory of failed experiments. It will be most appropriate to advise the chief minister and his respected elder brother to in future kindly restrict these flop experiments to their own Jaati Umra Palace and keep the poor people of the province out of them.

The Punjab treasury is empty yet the rulers’ greed and avarice know no bounds. Take the example of the reincarnation of the fraudulent Yellow Cab scheme in this year’s Punjab Budget. Who can forget that the last time this dubious scheme was unveiled it resulted in a complete collapse of two banks and a partial melt down of five other banks. This budget round, a huge sum of Rs. 4.5 billion has been again allocated to the yellow cab scheme. According to sources, Mr. Ishaq Dar has already inked a deal with a French automobiles manufacturer and a huge chunk of the allocated funds for this scheme will go down the deep pockets of “you know who”. Yellow Cabs Part 2 will be another scandal worth public accountability in the days to come.

In the face of rampant youth unemployment the need of the hour was to lift ban on government jobs and create well thought out youth self-employment schemes. But the current Punjab rulers instead of living up to this dire need have announced another fraudulent scheme in the budget which on the face of it will be meant to give Rs. 20,000 as financial assistance to the “deserving” youth but in actuality will be meant to espouse nepotism and corruption. Pray! Let me know that in today’s day and age what kind of business can one start with such a paltry “financial assistance”? That a government which in the last three years has not paid a penny of zakat to the deserving now with elections around the corner is bent upon extorting the public rupee for vested personal and political gains is but obvious here.

The Local Governments had become the agents of progress in the past. The present Punjab dispensation on the one hand has been delaying holding of LG elections and on the other it has allocated a staggering sum of Rs. 148 billion in this year’s budget for local governments. The obvious conclusion in this regard is again that the present Punjab rulers hell bent on looting and robbing the poor and the deprived will siphon this money through their self-appointed administrators. It is but evident that the reins of these funds will be in the hands of the chief minister and his band of forty thieves.

The last three provincial budgets have proven to be a nightmare for the people of South Punjab. They have been deprived of their rightful share in the provincial resources and left out of development plans. The truth is that there are still over twenty thousand floods devastated families living in South Punjab who still have not received the long awaited first tranche of Rs. 20,000 for reconstructing their lives. They talk of a dubious Ashyana Housing scheme while thousands of South Punjab families who lost everything in floods are still living without a roof over their heads and awaiting the arrival of the much trumpeted help. This year’s announcement of Rs.72 billion for South Punjab will prove to be yet another false promise like this government’s previous announcements for South Punjab.

On the one side, Punjab’s 63,000 plus government schools have not sighted any support in the past three budgets and on the other side their rightful share in the education budget is being vandalized in the name of the dubious Danish Schools scheme. The sel-proclaimed khadim e Ala blinded by corruption and self-glorification has brought the province’s educational growth to a grinding halt. The living proof of which is that Punjab’s literacy rate which was above 62% just four years back has now plummeted to less than 50%.

The provincial health sector is no exception to the rule. The last three years have been an unmitigated night mare for government hospitals their managements, doctors, nurses, paramedics and most of all for the poor patients. The free health care system for the sick and the needy provided by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s government is now a thing of the past. The present government’s mishandling of the provincial health system has given birth to numerous issues and the sufferings of the ailing public have increased tremendously. Free medicines routinely available in government hospitals four years back are now no longer available. The disgruntlement of the medical community including doctors, nurses and paramedics is also at an unprecedented high. And lo and behold, the Punjab rulers instead of listening to this most vital community’s grievances preferred to beat them on roads and put them behind bars. What a shameful way to run the health system of a province of over 80 million people!

Look at the Punjab government’s callousness towards people’s right to Access of Justice. Is it not shameful that not a penny has been allocated to this vital protection of the people against the high handedness of the powerful? Is the law and order situation now so ideal in Punjab that the people have no need for such initiatives?

At the end, I will like to draw your attention towards the incumbent Punjab government’s dismal performance in utilisation of the last three year’s Annual Development Programmes’ budgets and its poor revenue collection performance. The irony is that while there is a 100% increase in the chief minister’s budget, a 50% decline in the ADP spending has been witnessed in the last three years. Similarly there is also an approximate 40% drop in the provincial revenue receipts of the last three years. I ask that with what cheek this government can claim to better the lives of the Punjabis this year when it has done everything to ruin them in the previous three years. Allow me to say that Punjab is confronted with this current tragic fate because of a polygamous ruler’s mismanagement and incompetence. At the end of the speech the Speaker accepted to make Moonis Elahi’s views on Punjab budget as part of the assembly record.

The witnesses have denied opening of any bank account by Moonis Elahi’s manager Mohammad Maalik

Lahore (16-06-2011) The four prosecution witnesses named in the NICL case against senior Pakistan Muslim League leader Moonis Elahi have today completely rejected the FIA version. Testifying before the special judge Banking Court in Lahore the witnesses have denied opening of any bank account by Moonis Elahi’s manager Mohammad Maalik and have informed the learned court that the accounts in question were personally opened and operated by two individuals namely Adil Manzur and Khadim Rasul.

Earlier when Moonis Elahi was brought to the court amid tight security he was welcomed by a large number of party leaders and workers. Before the start of the proceedings Moonis Elahi addressed the Banking Court judge Abdul Rasheed and expressed his complete faith in the impartiality of the judiciary.

In today’s proceedings, statements of four prosecution witnesses belonging to Allied Bank were recorded. They included three Allied Bank airport branch employees Omar Farooq Dhami(officer), Nadia Faisal (Manager Customer Services), Shaukat Hussain (Rider)  and Mohammad Atif Saleem (Manager Customer Services)working at Allied Bank, Multan Road branch. Mohammad Atif Saleem in his statement before the learned judge testified that the FIA officials threatened him of dire consequences and coerced him into signing on a blank page which was against banking rules. He stated that Khadim Rasul had opened the account at his branch and was solely operating it. He informed the court that he had visited the FIA office a few times but had never recorded any statement with them. Omar Dhami in his statement testified that the FIA authorities had required him to provide the relevant bank record which he complied but at no point had he recorded his statement with the FIA. He testified that the FIA officials forced him to sign on a blank page and he was not aware of the contents of the statement later attributed to him by the FIA officials. Nadia Faisal in her statement apprized the court that one Adil Manzur had approached the bank for opening an account and the said account was opened after verifying his national identity card from NADRA. The third prosecution witness, Shaukat Hussain testified before the court that he had seen Adil Manzur opening the bank account and was not aware of anything else. The court was reconvened at 3 pm on the insistence of Moonis Elahi’s counsels where the statements of the fourth prosecution witness, Mohammad Atif Saleem along with the FIA investigation officer were recorded. The court was later adjourned till June 22.

Later talking to the media, Moonis Elahi’s counsel Rai Bashir Ahmad said that four out of five prosecution witnesses had refuted the statements attributed to them by the FIA officials against Moonis Elahi and the prosecution had failed to obtain anything against Moonis Elahi from them. He said that the prosecution witnesses had repeated the statements which they had earlier recorded with a magistrate where they had said that the accounts were personally opened and operated by Adil Manzur and Khadim Rasul.

Moonis Elahi indicted in NICL scandal

LAHORE – A special court on banks’ offences Saturday indicted PML-Q MPA Moonis Elahi in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) land purchase scandal wherein he is accused of embezzling millions of rupees through his agent.

Moonis Elahi, who is also a son of Pervaiz Elahi, was produced by the Federal Investigation Authorities (FIA) authorities before the Court of Malik Abdul Rasheed amid tight security, pleaded not guilty in the offence.

Rai Bashir Ahmad, Amjad Pervez and Misbahur Rehman, while representing Moonis, requested the court to provide them with copies of the statement recorded from the prosecution witnesses under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). They pleaded that they needed copies of the statement as most of the witnesses have turned hostile and backed out from their statements against Moonis.
The lawyers informed the court that on the basis of witnesses’ statements they will prepare the case and cited references of superior court decisions in support of their contention that in terms of Section 27 (A), Cr PC the record pertaining to the statement of the witnesses could be opened before the court.
They contended that Manager Mohammad Maalik on whose statements Moonis Elahi was taken into custody by the FIA officials in the NICL scandal and the others have now retracted their statements and contended that the FIA officials had pressured them to get statements against Moonis Elahi.
Rejecting the lawyers’ plea to handover copies of the witnesses’ statements, the court indicted Moonis and called prosecution witnesses to appear on the next hearing on June 16.
Defence lawyers posed that, what would be the affect of the court’s verdict on the future of the young politician (Moonis) who may become president or prime minister of the country one day. They urged the court to deal the case as special one for it has to go down in the history. They said in view of the fact that Moonis was a politician and the impact the court decision may cast on his mind should also be kept in view. The judge in response to it remarked that whether young or old everyone is equal before the law and verdict of the court would be announced in light of the law and the constitution of Pakistan. The defence counsels then argued that they wanted early decision of the case and if the copies are provided they can establish innocence of their client.
They said the FIA did not have any tangible evidence against their client. The court however refused to grant the request.

I returned to Pakistan at my own accord and because I have complete faith in the independence and fairness of the country’s judiciary: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (10-06-2011) The Banking Court in Lahore has adjourned the NICL case hearing against Moonis Elahi, senior leader Pakistan Muslim League, till tomorrow. During today’s proceedings, Moonis Elahi’s lawyers requested the court to provide them with copies of the prosecution witnesses’ statements recorded under Section 164. They were of the view that it was their right to obtain the copies of witnesses’ statements but the court for reasons not known to them was not heeding their request. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers said that the case against their client was a pack of lies devoid of evidence and reason. They accused the FIA of willfully stretching the case to prolong Moonis Elahi’s incarceration period.

The Banking Court Judge, Mr. Justice Abdul Rasheed responding to their observations offered Moonis Elahi’s lawyers to get the case transferred to another court remarking that he was not very fond of hearing the NICL case. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers while expressing their confidence in the learned judge said that if he himself was not interested in hearing the case then it was another matter. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers included Amjad Pervez, Rai Bashir Ahmad and Misbah ur Rahman advocates. Earlier on arrival at the court, Moonis Elahi briefly speaking to the media said that he returned to Pakistan at his own accord and because he had complete faith in the independence and fairness of the country’s judiciary. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers talking to the media after the court adjournment said that according to clause 241/A of the Constitution of Pakistan, the court was responsible for providing copies of the trial related documents but in this case the court was prolonging things for unknown reasons and today the whole time was spent on arguing whether or not Moonis Elahi could be provided copies of witnesses’ statements recorded under Section 164.

Production orders for Moonis Elahi sought

LAHORE – PML-Q has asked Punjab Assembly Speaker to issue production orders of Moonis Elahi for taking part in the budget session.
Chaudhry Zaheer-ud-Din, PML-Q parliamentary party leader in Punjab Assembly, through a letter on Tuesday asked the Speaker to issue production orders of Moonis Elahi following the rules of business of the Punjab Assembly, while Moonis has the privilege to participate in the assembly proceedings. He said that the presence of Moonis in the budget session was of paramount importance as an elected member of the House.
Meanwhile, PML-Q leader condemning provincial government for rolling back Punjab government’s security from PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and senior federal minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi warned that provincial government would be responsible for any untoward incident.
He demanded of the Punjab CM to present the report of investigation commission formed sometime back regarding the flood devastating floods in Southern Punjab last year to overcome our s0hortcomings to counter the natural calamities in a better way.
Zaheer said that ‘Q’ would devise its budget session’s strategy after consulting with senior leadership, however they would follow the conduct of ‘N’ during the budget at the Parliament. He observed that ‘N’ wanted to grab every position without having majority.

Moonis Elahi Case: The court adjourned the hearing by June 10

Lahore (May 31, 2011) The Banking Court today adjourned the NICL case hearing with Senior Pakistan Muslim League Leader Moonis Elahi as a defendant till June-10 without any proceedings. Moonis Elahi was brought to the court in an armoured vehicle and heavy security arrangements were in place both outside and inside the court room. A large number of Pakistan Muslim League workers had assembled outside the banking court in the sweltering summer heat to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader. On his arrival, they chanted slogans highlighting Moonis Elahi’s innocence and condemning the elements behind the false case against their leaders. Later talking to the media, Moonis Elahi’s counsel said that the court could not convene today because of some other binding’s legal engagements of the honourable judge.

We never recorded any statement with the FIA (8 Moonis Elahi case prosecution witnesses tell the Court)

May 25, 2011 (Lahore)

The Banking Court while adjourning the hearing of Pakistan Muslim League Central Leader Moonis Elahi’s case until May 31 has directed the FIA authorities to provide Moonis Elahi’s counsel with copies of statements recorded in the case under Sections 161 and 164.  During today’s hearing, Moonis Elahi’s counsel took the plea that the FIA was bound to provide the accused with copies of all statements recorded in the case under Sections 161 and 164.  He demanded copies of statements of the 8 prosecution witnesses recorded under oath where they had unanimously stated that at no point did they record their statements with the FIA.  The Court was adjourned after the FIA officials requested for some time in order to arrange the required copies.

According to Moonis Elahi’s lawyer, Amjad Pervaiz the 8 prosecution witnesses had appeared in person before a Magistrate and stated under oath that the FIA had pressurised them to sign on blank pages and stamp papers and they had at no point recorded their statements with the FIA.  Quoting the witnesses, Moonis Elahi’s defence counsel further said that in their statements the witnesses had named Adil Manzoor and Khadim Rasool as two individuals who had personally visited the bank for account opening, cheque book receiving and money withdrawal and neither Moonis Elahi nor any other person known to him ever came in touch with them.  Advocate Amjad Pervaiz said that the baseless and false allegations against Moonis Elahi now stood fully exposed.

Moonis Elahi: Courts independent in meting out justice uninfluenced by NICL case hearing in the SC

Moonis Elahi not getting entitled legal relief (S.M. Zaffar)

 

(Islamabad, May 21, 2011) The 3 member Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has observed that courts where Moonis Elahi case is being heard are entirely independent to proceed with the matter in accordance with law and without being influenced in any manner from the NICL case proceedings in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Mr. Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Mr. Justice Ghulam Rabbani passed this order in response to the petition filed by President Pakistan Muslim League, Senator Chaudhry Shujat Hussain.  Mr. S.M. Zafar, Mr. Waseem Sajjad and Dr. Khalid Ranjha appeared in the case as his legal counsels.

Mr. S.M. Zafar as the senior counsel stated that on account of the pendency of the matter before the Supreme Court, Moonis Elahi was not getting the legal relief he was entitled for.

The learned bench of the Supreme Court in its written order observed that notwithstanding any controversy with regards to the interim or final status of the challan, the learned courts hearing the matter were entirely independent in their proceedings. The learned bench further observed that if the legal relief was sought for, during hearing, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner would be free to raise any argument available including that the amount had been recovered or not.

We played no role in Zafar Qureshi’s transfer: Ch. Shujaat Hussain

FIA again fails to submit Moonis challan

LAHORE

THE Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Punjab, on Tuesday once again failed to submit a challan against PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi, son of former Chief Minister Parvaiz Elahi, allegedly involved in the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) land scam.

On Tuesday, Moonis was produced before Special Judge (banking offences) Abdul Rasheed amid tight security from the sub-jail of NADRA Rest House.

The FIA officials once again sought further time for the submission of the complete challan against Moonis. On this, the court has directed the FIA to submit a complete challan on the next hearing, to be held on May 12.

The court in its orders has also mentioned that if the FIA failed to submit a challan on the next hearing, the court will start trial on the available documents and will not allow the FIA further time for submission of the challan. Previously, the court had rejected the bail application of Moonis.

Counsel of Moonis is of the view that the FIA has no evidence against Moonis and he was implicated in the scam purely on political grounds. He said Moonis had nothing to do with the scam, as all the cases were lodged against the family of Mohsin Habib warriach. He pointed out that alleged looted money had already been returned to the NICL. Counsel reiterated that Mohsin Warriach had submitted all the embezzled amount of Rs. 1.68 billion to Secretary Commerce. As the whole amount mentioned in FIR 24/10 has been returned then to involve his client in the scam is an illegal act.

FIA failed to present the challan against Moonis Elahi

LAHORE: The Banking Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of Moonis Elahi’s case till May 3.

 

FIA failed to present the challan and requested the court to give ten days to present the complete challan (subpoena), hence, the court adjourned the case’s hearing till May 3.

Talking to the media outside the court, Moonis Elahi said the impression of him being saved from the federal government was wrong. He expressed his hopes regarding the court’s decision.

Zafar Qureshi relieved from FIA assignment

ISLAMABAD: A spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior has said that National Police Foundation Managing Director, Zafar Qureshi, has been relieved from his additional assignment in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The spokesperson said that in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, Zafar Qureshi, an Officer of Police Group, was deputed to investigate certain cases pending inquiry in FIA. On completion of his additional assignment in FIA, the agency Director General, Malik Muhammad Iqbal has requested the interior secretary to relieve him from his additional responsibilities. Qureshi had completed the investigations of the cases assigned to him and has submitted the reports for onward transmission to the court.

Moonis Elahi was involved in the NICL land scam on political grounds

LAHORE- A Special Judge for banking offence Abdul Rasheed on Monday issued a notice to FIA for April 25, against a bail petition by PML-Q leader Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, the accused of the NICL scam.
On Monday, the counsel of Moonis, namely Iqbal Bhatti filed application of post-arrest bail for his client, contending that FIA had no evidence against Moonis and he was involved in the NICL land scam on political grounds. The counsel said that all the cases were registered against the family of Mohsin Habib Warraich and his client Moonis had nothing to do with the scam. He requested the court to grant the bail application for the release of his client Moonis. On Tuesday (today), Moonis will be brought to court.

Supreme Court admitted for hearing three applications moved by Ch. Shujaat Hussain and Moonis Elahi

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday admitted for hearing three applications moved by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, says a press release issued by the PML-Q on Thursday.

The applications seek court orders to remove FIA additional director general Zafar Qureshi from the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam probe and start an investigation against him.

In the applications, Chaudhry Shujaat and Moonis Elahi say the main accused in the NICL scam, Habibullah Waraich and family, has deposited all required amount to the FIA, but Moonis Elahi, his wife and other family members were being harassed by Zafar Qureshi.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice

Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani directed Zafar Qureshi to submit reply on the application filed by the Chaudhry family, the press release says.

During the proceedings of the case, the chief justice said the Chaudhrys belonged to a respectable family and the investigators should keep this fact in mind while dealing with them.

The court said any investigation into the bank accounts, which are not linked to transactions vis-a-vis the NICL scam, would be against rules.

Chaudhry Shujaat and Moonis Elahi say Qureshi had levelled baseless allegations against the applicants and had stated that he was facing death threats from the Chaudhrys.

Senator Wasim Sajjad, the counsel for Ch Shujaat, told the court during the proceedings that the Waraich family had deposited the entire required amount with the FIA and no amount was liable, but the FIA officials were still harassing Moonis Elahi and his family members.

“Investigation into other accounts of Ch Moonis has been also launched. His accounts have been frozen, while the credit cards of his children are also being sought for investigation purpose that is uncalled for,” he added. He said the Chaudhry family was being targeted on political grounds. A large number of parliamentarians and PML-Q workers were present on the occasion in the courtroom no. 1 of the apex court building.

Prominent of those were PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, PML-Q parliamentary leader in National Assembly Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, and others.

Zafar Qureshi harassing Moonis Elahi and his family members

Islamabad (14-04-2011) The supreme court on Thursday admitted three applications moved by PML President and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Ch Moonis Elahi in which the court was requested to remove FIA additional director general Zafar Qureshi from the NICL scam investigation and rather an investigation may be started against him. In these applications, it wax prayed that the main accused in the NICL scam, Habibullah Waraich & family, had deposited all the required amount with the FIA but despite the fact of the recovery, Moonis Elahi, his wife and other family members were being harassed by Qureshi while a probe has been launched into the bank accounts of Moonis Elahi which was uncalled for.

The apex court bench comprising chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani directed Zafar Qureshi to submit reply to the application by the Chaudhry family. During the proceedings of the case, the chief justice said that the Chaudhrys belonged to a respected family and the investigators should take care of the fact while dealing with them.

The court also said that any investigation into those bank accounts which are not linked to transactions vis-à-vis the NICL would be against rules. In their applications, the Chaudhry family had pleaded that Qureshi had leveled baseless allegations against the applicants and even he had stated that he was facing life threats from the Chauhdrys. It was stated that Chaudhrys belonged to a respectable family and could not even think of any such plan as described by Qureshi. It was prayed that Qureshi’s baseless allegations should be investigated and he should be removed from investigation of the case. Senator Wasim Sajjad, the attorney of Ch Shujat, told the court during the proceedings that the Waraich family had deposited all the required amount with the FIA and no amount was liable but the FIA officials were still harassing Moonis Elahi and his family members. Besides, he added, investigation into other accounts of Ch Moonis was also launched, his accounts have been frozen, while the credit cards of his children are also been sought for investigation purpose which was uncalled for.

He said the Chaudhrys were basically businessmen and thus it was natural to have heavy amounts in their accounts for business purpose. He said the Chaudhry family was being targeted on political whims which should be stopped. A large number of parliamentarians and PML workers were present on the occasion in the courtroom No.1 of the apex court building. Prominent of those were PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, PML parliamentary Leader in the national assembly Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, President PML KP Engineer Amir Muqam, MNAs Sh Waqas Akram, Marvi Memon, Prince Nawaz Allai, Pir Aslam Bodla and others.

Punjab government told to beef up security for Moonis Elahi

LAHORE, April 13: The interior ministry has asked the Punjab government to beef up security for PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi owing to threats to his life.

According to an interior ministry’s letter, “credible information has been received that there is a threat to the life of Moonis and extra precautions at the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) rest house in the Cantonment area may kindly be taken up.

“The security personnel employed there may also be checked.”

The Punjab government has not taken any stringent arrangement for the security of the PML-Q leader despite concerns from the Federal Investigation Agency.

 

Zafar Qureshi is victimizing female members of Moonis Elahi’s family: Kamil Ali Agha

Lahore (13-04-2011) Kamil Ali Agha, central Information secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League has drawn the Supreme Court’s attention towards the acts of a certain FIA official that amount to serious contempt of the apex court. Kamil Ali Agha has also accused this particular official of implicating the women members of a political family in baseless and fabricated cases by using the Supreme Court’s name. The PML Information Secretary has said that after miserably failing to prove Moonis Elahi’s alleged involvement in the NICL case this official has now started victimizing Moonis Elahi’s wife and other female members of his family.

According to Kamil Ali Agha, not only has this official investigated the personal accounts of these ladies but has also gone way beyond his limits by being instrumental in freezing Mrs. Moonis Elahi’s personal account especially when Moonis Elahi’s name is not mentioned in the FIR. The PML Information Secretary has appealed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to take notice of this official’s persecution of women and to stop him from misusing the Supreme Court’s name.

Kamil Ali Agha has alleged Zafar Qureshi of misusing the name of the Supreme Court verbally as well as in his official letters so as to influence fellow officers. He has urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to reprimand Zafar Qureshi and direct the concerned to take measures for undoing these wrongs.

Zafar Qureshi is a puppet playing at somebody else’s behest: Kamil Ali Agha

Lahore (12-04-2011) Kamil Ali Agha, Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League has said that Additional Director General FIA Zafar Ahmad Qureshi despite all his tactics has failed to find any proof against Moonis Elahi in the 14 day physical remand. He has said that Zafar Ahmad Qureshi despite his machination has also visibly failed in establishing Moonis Elahi’s link in the NICL case. The settlement between NICL and Mohsin Warraich coupled with Mohsin Warraich’s written affidavit clearly stating that Moonis Elahi has no concern in the alleged deal are facts which have frustrated Zafar Qureshi.

Kamil Ali Agha accused Zafar Qureshi of stooping as low as implicating the women family members of Moonis Elahi to cover up for his own failures. In a press statement issued in Lahore today the PML central information secretary Kamil Ali Agha has accused ADG FIA Zafar Qureshi of unleashing a personal agenda of vengeance against Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and his family. He has said that Zafar Qureshi has opened a front against Chaudhry Parvez Elahi to avenge the denial of perks and privileges to him during the govt. of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in Punjab.

Kamil Ali Agha called Zafar Qureshi a puppet playing at somebody else’s behest. He condemned the ADG FIA for using his office to carry out a personal agenda of revenge. He also urged the judiciary to take notice of Zafar Qureshi’s continuous violations of the country’s constitutional and penal courts besides the ethical and moral norms. Kamil Ali Agha accused Zafar Qureshi of employing all below the belt tactics to besmear the Chaudhry Family specially after failing to find them at any fault in the cases he himself has created. In his sheer frustration Zafar Qureshi has now started manufacturing new stories on a regular basis, alleged Kamil Ali Agha.

FIA’s malicious and baseless campaign against Moonis Elahi has no credibility in the eyes of the public as well as the courts

Lahore (11-04-2011) Kamil Ali Agha, Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League and Chaudhry Zaheeruddin PML Parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly have unanimously condemned the Additional Director General FIA Zafar Ahmad Qureshi over his latest round of false accusation leveled against Moonis Elahi. They have said that despite all out efforts the FIA has failed to come up with even and iota of proof against Moonis Elahi and yet is continuing with a malicious and baseless media trial against him.

The two PML leaders have flayed Zafar Ahmad Qureshi for his vindictive, unfair and biased behavior and have accused him of providing the media with false and contrived charges against Moonis Elahi. They have strongly condemned Zafar Qureshi’s latest attempt at implicating the women family members of Moonis Elahi.

The two leaders have jointly slated the Additional Director General FIA Zafar Qureshi for abusing the state machinery to besmear the political image and credibility of the Chaudhry family. They have said that the FIA’s malicious and baseless campaign against Moonis Elahi has no credibility in the eyes of the public as well as the courts.

 

Moonis Elahi on 14-day judicial remand, Shifted to Nadra Guest House

Lahore (April 01,2011) At the end of his physical remand, Moonis Elahi, central leader Pakistan Muslim League was sent on a 14 day judicial remand to the Camp Jail, Lahore by the judicial magistrate, Mohammad Irfan Basra. Chanting slogans of Moonis Elahi’s innocence, Asif Bhatti a die-hard supporter of Moonis Elahi tried to commit suicide by jumping from the 2^nd floor of the district courts but was grabbed in time by lawyers and workers present there.

Moonis Elahi’s lawyer, Iqbal Bhatti told the court that despite keeping Moonis Elahi in custody for 14 days and using all fair and foul tactics in the book the FIA had been unsuccessful in extracting any incriminating evidence or clue against him. He said that this was a clear proof of Moonis Elahi’s innocence and of him being subjected to extreme political victimization.

Moonis Elahi was today brought to the district courts 4 hours after the close of courts. He remained in the armored vehicle for 25 minutes after reaching the district courts as the court room was locked and the magistrate had gone home. The Pakistan Muslim League workers who had started assembling in the district courts from early morning kept chanting slogans and breast beating against the unfair trial of their leader throughout the day. Many emotional scenes were witnessed at Moonis Elahi’s arrival and the PML workers kept chanting fiery slogans during the court proceedings.

Supporters of Moonis Elahi

Moonis Elahi’s remand extended for another 4 days

Moonis Elahi

Lahore, March 28 2011 A local court in Lahore on Monday extended the physical remand of detained Pakistan Muslim League leader Moonis Elahi on FIA’s request for further 4days. The Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Irfan Basra has directed FIA to present Moonis Elahi again on April 1.

Moonis Elahi told the court that he was under detention for the last 10 days and had fully co-operated with the FIA but so far he had not been shown any proof or evidence against him. He said that he had repeatedly declared that he had neither received any money nor he was liable to pay anyone and he had no concern with the alleged deal. The defence lawyer Iqbal Bhatti prayed to the court that his client was being un-necessarily detained and since the FIA had not made any progress despite obtaining physical remand 3 times before therefore any further remand was not required. He said that his client was innocent.

Prior to Moonis Elahi arrival in the district courts the Punjab Rangers and police had undertaken strict security measures and vehicles were not being allowed to enter the district courts. On his arrival thousands of highly motivated PML workers and leaders gave Moonis Elahi a rousing welcome. The armored vehicle bringing Moonis Elahi to the court was once again covered with rose petals. Moonis Elahi on stepping out of the vehicle smiled at his supporters and waved to them. The PML workers chanted slogans calling Moonis Elahi the future Chief Minister and against the false case in which he was being tried.

Moonis Elahi to remain in FIA custody for 4 days

Moonis Elahi

Lahore (March 24, 2011) A local court today extended the physical remand of detained Pakistan Muslim League leader Moonis Elahi on FIA’s insistence for four more days. At the end of his 6 days remand he was brought after a delay of six hours from the court’s scheduled time. The court yard of the Lahore district courts was jam-packed with the Pakistan Muslim League leaders, workers and supporters waiting since morning for their leader’s one glimpse and enthusiastically raising slogans and waving party flags and placards.

On arrival the roof of the armored car bringing Moonis Elahi was colored red with the buffet of rose petals showered by a highly charged crowd. On the FIA’s request for a further seven days remand the court required the FIA to apprise that if nothing incriminating against Moonis Elahi had been found in the previous six days remand then what more did the FIA expect to achieve in further seven days. The FIA officials informed the court that the investigation was still in progress.

Moonis Elahi on this occasion again categorically denied his role in the alleged transaction and said that since he had no knowledge of it therefore the question of returning any money did not raise. Moonis Elahi’s lawyers informed the court that there was no evidence against their client and the FIA was over-stretching a politically motivated case for cheap publicity. Meanwhile a highly emotional yet disciplined pro-Moonis crowd gathered outside the court room continued to raise slogans declaring Moonis Elahi as the future chief minister and slating Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Remand of Moonis extended for three days

Moonis Elahi

Lahore (March 21, 2011) Moonis Elahi the senior central leader of the Pakistan Muslim League on the FIA’s request was granted another three day remand by the Judicial Magistrate in Lahore today. His defence lawyer said that in the absence of any proof or testimony against Moonis Elahi the FIA had detained him purely on vindictive and prejudicial grounds. Earlier when Moonis Elahi was brought to the court a large number of the Pakistan Muslim League leaders and workers welcomed him with flower petals and garlands. When a highly confident Moonis Elahi stepped out of the police van the PML workers chanted various slogans including “chief minister Moonis Elahi we are with you”.

During the hearing Moonis Elahi’s lawyer, Mohammad Iqbal Bhatti strongly opposed the request for further remand of his client and accused the FIA Additional Director General, Zafar Qureshi of falsely implicating Moonis Elahi in the NICL case on account of his personal prejudice and enmity. He drew the court’s attention to the fact that when Moonis Elahi was abroad he was summoned to appear as a witness on January 27, 2011 and when his lawyer informed that his client would be returning home in a week’s time to record his statement strangely and without any tangible reason Moonis Elahi’s arrest warrants were issued and he was declared an absconder. He said that the FIA tried its level best to prevent Moonis Elahi’s return to the country and when after being bailed by the Sind High Court Moonis Elahi appeared several times to record his statement the FIA officials turned a deaf ear to his requests. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer accused the FIA of misguiding the court. He said that there was no reason to award Moonis Elahi a further remand as he was ready to appear whenever summoned.

Zafar Qureshi, the ADG of the FIA is playing a biased role against Moonis Elahi

Moonis Elahi

Kamil Ali Agha has expressed dissatisfaction over the way things were being handled in the matter of Moonis Elahi case. Alleging Zafar Qureshi, the additional director general of the FIA, of playing a biased role against Moonis Elahi, Kamil Ali Agha said the PML-Q wanted the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of Qureshi’s ‘partial’ role. Criticizing Minister for Interior Rehman Malik and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Kamil Agha said “Rana Raymond” from Lahore and “Malik Davis” from Islamabad were behind the entire “biased” action against Chaudhry Moonis Elahi.

He said legal requirements were not fulfilled by the FIA against Moonis Elahi, who had already been declared innocent by different officials. He said on the initiative of the PML-N, Rehman Malik was busy in taking unjust actions against the PML-Q leader. He also stated that Ch Moonis Elahi courted arrest and all the rumours being spread against him by the Punjab government proved baseless.

Three-day remand of Moonis Elahi

Lahore, (March 18, 2011) Moonis Elahi, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League has been today granted a three day remand by the Judicial Magistrate Ehtasham Sadiq. Moonis Elahi was brought to the district court in an armored car amidst heavy police security. Many emotional scenes were witnessed on his arrival at the court. The highly charged workers of the Pakistan Muslim League showered flowers and raised thunderous slogans in their leader’s favor.

Responding to the FIA’s request for a seven day remand Moonis Elahi’s lawyer Mohammad Iqbal Bhatti pleaded that his client was being politically victimized and his name was neither in the NICL case FIR and nor had he opened a fake account. He informed the court that the FIA had given Moonis Elahi a questionnaire comprising seventy questions which was duly answered and handed back to the FIA.

Moonis Elahi’s lawyer further informed the court that the FIA carried out all its activities while his client was abroad and soon after his return Moonis Elahi contacted the FIA officials on four occasions to record his statement but on each occasion the investigating agency refused to entertain his request. Moonis Elahi’s lawyer accused the FIA ADG Zafar Qureshi of victimizing his client and causing him unnecessary aggravation. He said that it was not a criminal trial where a remand was necessary and the FIA was already in possession of all the required documents.

I am absolutely innocent, I am not involved in any corruption: Moonis Elahi

 

Lahore (March 17, 2011) Moonis Elahi, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League while voluntarily courting his arrest at the Lahore FIA office has categorically denied corruption charges leveled against him and has said that by Allah’s grace he will be honourably acquitted. Those people should be ashamed of themselves who had said that the PML top brass met President Zardari in connection with my case. I have full faith in the court but none in the FIA and similar organization. Persecution is nothing new for my family. Like my elders, I am also not scared of persecution.

This is my country and I will never run away to Jeddah or England. When Rehman Malik arrested Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Chaudhry Parvez Elahi I was in England from where I spoke with Chaudhry Shujat Hussain who told me not to worry as it may be my turn in times to come. Moonis Elahi looked visibly confident when he stepped out of his car outside the Lahore FIA office where he was greeted by a very large presence of highly charged party workers who chanted slogans assuring Moonis Elahi of their love and support. There are reports of rallies staged in protest against

Moonis Elahi’s arrest throughout Punjab including Multan, Gujrawnala, Sialkot, Wazirabad, Kamokey, Bhai Phero, Phool Nagar, Gujrat, Okara, Sheikupura, Kasur and Sarogdha. The biggest protest rally was brought out at the Kamla Chowk Lahore where thousands of Moonis Elahi’s supporters turned out. The protesters staged a sit in and burnt tyres. Early addressing the media outside the FIA Office Moonis Elahi challenging his accusers said that they would get tired of their unfair persecution but he would not deter from his fight against injustice. They cannot keep me in as I am absolutely innocent, I am not involved in any corruption and if they prove me wrong I will pay them double the amount they have accused me of, Moonis Elahi declared. He refused to disclose the names of the real actors behind the false case against him saying that his elders had told him to withhold their names till the right time. Earlier when

Moonis Elahi left his house to court arrest at the FIA office he was sent off by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. Moonis Elahi was accompanied to the FIA office by Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, Rasikh Elahi, Shafay Hussain, Maj. (R) Tahir Sadiq, Chaudhry Ameer Hussain, Amir Sultan Cheema, Rizwan Mumtaz Ali, Seemal Kamran, Majida Zaidi, Amna Ulfat, Sajid Bhatti, Mian Azhar Javed, Chaudhry Yousuf Ahad, Haji Hanif, Idrees Hanif and a large number of party workers and supporters.