IHC rejects PSMA’s petition seeking extension in stay order on inquiry report

IHC rejects PSMA’s petition seeking extension in stay order on inquiry report

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected a petition filed by the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) seeking an extension of the stay order earlier given after the release of the sugar inquiry report.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah presided the hearing of the petition during which Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan said that it has become a tradition in Pakistan that powerful employees of PSMA are present in the government.

“It would be wrong to say that the commission of inquiry was set up to take revenge on political opponents,” said AGP Jawed. “The inquiry is also being conducted against the government’s strong allies and friends, which is proof that this is not a biased operation.”

The AGP further said that that there was an objection to the inclusion of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) members in the committee.

“Let me explain this,” the AGP prayed upon the court. “The Supreme Court also constituted a Joint Investigation Team (JIT ) in the Panama and fake accounts case. The inquiry commission worked under terms of references (TORs) to cover all aspects of the sugar industry”.

Justice Athar Minallah said that the PSMA also has a problem with the government’s press conferences on the issue.

“Those who are in the government do not need to hold such press conferences, as it affects the rights of the other party, inquiry and investigation,” the IHC CJ said. “There should have been no such press conferences at all.”

PSMA advocate Ali Khan sought extension of the stay order, but the court refused to grant further stay order on the sugar inquiry report.

Sugar mills association lawyer Salman Akram Raja while presenting his arguments referred to the case of cricketer Saleem Malik.

“The cricketer was accused of violating the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct and he had not violated any law in Pakistan, but since there was no law in Pakistan regarding the allegations against him, an inquiry commission was formed,” said Raja.

Therefore, all relevant laws on sugar are present in the country, so there is no need to form an inquiry commission on government’s level, Raja prayed upon the court.

Earlier, the court had summoned the SAPM on accountability and the members of the commission. The court also summoned cabinet division and homes secretaries, Anti-Corruption Punjab director general, the Intelligence Bureau deputy director, and representatives of the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the State Bank and the Federal Board of Revenue.