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 not getting entitled legal relief: S.M. Zaffar

Courts independent in meting out justice uninfluenced by NICL case hearing in the SC: (Supreme Court)

(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 have no role in Zafar Qureshi's transfer: Ch. Shujaat Hussan

FIA has no evidence against Moonis and he was implicated in the scam purely on political grounds

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.