Babar Awan. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Dr Babar Awan, counsel for Moonis Elahi, on Monday stated before a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice, that the acquittal of his client by a banking court in the NICL case was on merit as the court had examined five witnesses.

Babar told the SC bench, hearing a suo moto case of NICL scam, that Zafar Qureshi is making wrong impression before the court due to his personal grudges.

Moonis Elahi had been acquitted by the court of law that followed rules of administration of justice, he added.

The court also asked Zafar Qureshi to inform the court about the source which had conveyed to him the threats to his life, assuring him that the matter would be kept confidential.

The SC bench asked the Attorney General of Pakistan (AG) as to why the Government had not filed appeal against the decision of Banking Court regarding the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam as an amount of Rs 320 million had not been deposited in the National Exchequer.

The court also sought report from AG in this regard.

The bench directed the Attorney General to assist the court that should it refer this case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), adding that the plea of contempt would be proceeded by the Supreme Court.

During the course of hearing, Zafar Qureshi, former Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency and Investigation Officer of NICL scam presented his report before the Supreme Court and said that an amount of Rs 320 million is yet to be recovered from the accused but Banking Court had released Monis Elahi.

Waseem Sajjad, counsel for Chaudhry Shujat apprised the court that Zafar Qureshi made false allegation against his client that he has received life threats from Chaudhry Brothers.

Zafar Qureshi told the court that reliable sources had informed him that Chaudhry brothers were devising plan against him and he still has life threats as some people are “hunting” him.

Waseem Sajjad asked the bench that Qureshi should tell about the source who had conveyed him such allegations because Chaudhry brothers want to know that who is making these conspiracies.

The court directed Zafar Qureshi to inform the court about his source and added that it would be kept confidential.

Further hearing of the case was adjourned till November 15.

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