LAHORE, Dec 12: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday took exception to non-appearance of the Federal Investigation Agency director general and warned him of sending to jail if owner of a ‘visa consultancy’ firm was not arrested within 10 days.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi observed that the DG would be the first person to be sent to jail if the owner of Future Concern, visa firm, was not arrested. The judge had summoned the DG on Wednesday but he did not turn up.

The judge was hearing over 100 petitions filed against Asim Malik, CEO of Future Concern, on charges of committing fraud with people who gave huge money to him for going abroad but neither went nor paid back.

The petitioners’ counsel stated before the court that accused Asim Malik could not be arrested till Rehman Malik was steering the interior ministry as adviser.

Justice Naqvi remarked that the government functionaries should not have any misconception that the court could not get its orders implemented. The judge adjourned further hearing till Dec 14 (tomorrow) and directed the FIA DG to ensure his appearance before the court.

The judge also accepted unconditional apology tendered by a superintendent of police and station house officer of Kohsar (Islamabad). They were issued show-cause notices for not appearing before the court when they were summoned to explain their act of not cooperating with investigation team of the FIA in arrest of the accused.

The petitioners had pleaded that they had given money to the company’s chief executive officer for going abroad but they were defrauded.

They said Malik neither sent them abroad nor returned their money.

In this case, the court had already ordered the FIA to confiscate assets of Asim Malik and his dependants and also put his name on exit control list (ECL).