ISLAMABAD: A joint investigation team (JIT)formed on the direction of the Supreme Court has held Federal Minister for Information Technology Azam Swati responsible for “illegally” occupying state land along his farmhouse and forcing ex-chief of the capital police to step down.

A source told Dawn on Monday that the JIT had submitted its report to the apex court after probing a case that surfaced when the minister’s family managed to get an FIR registered against slum dwellers for trespassing on the state land illegally occupied by the minister.

Mr Swati, a member of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), is accused of playing a role in the transfer of former inspector general of police (IGP) Islamabad, Jan Mohammad, an allegation over which the apex court had pondered taking action against him under Article 62 of the Constitution before forming the JIT.

The IGP’s transfer took place after Mr Swati’s son registered the case against a family of slum dwellers for allegedly trespassing on his land. Five people, including two women, were arrested on the charge of trespassing on the land and beating Mr Swati’s guards.

The arrested people were released after a day’s detention as police said a settlement had been reached between the minister and the detained family.

Led by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General Irfan Mangi, the JIT comprised members of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). They visited Mr Swati’s residence on Nov 7.

The JI report, comprising five volumes, states that the inquiry against Mr Swati was linked to the situation that arose after the minister’s son had a case registered against a neighbouring family.

The report, which has not been released publicly, also raises questions regarding the transfer of the former IG by the government in the aftermath of the incident, said the source.

The SC had directed the JIT to probe alleged misconduct on part of Mr Swati besides examining the minister and his children’s assets and tax payments. The team was asked to present its report within 14 days.

While this episode was unfolding, it had appeared that Mr Swati’s family may have been encroaching on government land following which the Capital Development Authority (CDA) issued Mr Swati’s wife, the owner of the property, a notice to remove encroachments and unauthorised construction from her farmhouse in 15 days.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018