ISLAMABAD, June 11: A senior officer investigating the multi-billion rupees NICL scam told the Supreme Court on Monday that he was trying hard to ascertain the role of Commerce Minister Amin Fahim in the appointment of Ayaz Niazi, the former chairman of the National Insurance Corporation Limited.
Karachi FIA Director Moazzam Jah told a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that Rs41 million had been transferred into the account of the minister from the account of Khawaja Akbar Butt, also an accused and alleged frontman of the minister. The minister is reported to have returned the dirty money.
The NICL case has become a controversial issue because it ensnared Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, son of former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
Barrister Ali Zafar representing Amin Fahim, however, stated that his client was a member of the federal cabinet and a parliamentarian and was accountable to people who had repeatedly elected him. He said the references had damaged the reputation of his client who sought court’s protection because he was innocent.
The counsel requested the court not to make observations which might influence the course of investigation. The bench observed that it would not cause prejudice to the investigation.
Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood told the court that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was in the process of approving a summary after which the government could recover the loss from the contractual senior employees of the private organisation. The NICL has also been asked to initiate the process of recovering the loss it suffered at the hands of its former chairman Ayaz Niazi.
The apex court has also issued notices to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Interior Adviser Rehman Malik on a report compiled by former Supreme Court judge Ghulam Rabbani who had conducted an inquiry on the role played by Mr Malik for allegedly suspending Zafar Qureshi to prevent him from carrying out the probe because of political expediency while Chaudhry Shujaat was allegedly responsible for a media campaign against the judiciary.
Former FIA official Zafar Qureshi told the court that Rs420 million was still recoverable – Rs320 million from Moonis Elahi and Rs100 million from another accused Mohsin Warriach.
Of the 10 cheques provided by Akram Warriach, uncle of Mohsin Warriach, the first has been dishonoured for which a case was pending before the central judge, Lahore.
The Supreme Court suggested to the central judge that it would be appreciated if an appropriate order was issued by June 16.
The court ordered the commerce secretary to examine whether the appointment of Ayaz Niazi as NICL chairman was in accordance with the Insurance Ordinance, 2000.
The court directed the FIA director general to appear in person and submit a report about steps being taken to bring back the money allegedly laundered by Moonis Elahi. The case was adjourned to June 22.