LHC rejects Rehman Malik's exemption plea

LAHORE The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik to appear before it on next date of hearing in the appeals filed against his conviction by Accountability Courts in two references.
On Wednesday, the Federal Minister did not turn up on the plea of his participation in the Federal Cabinet meeting and sickness of his lawyer Ch Mushtaq Ahmed Advocate.
However, Maliks brother and lawyers belonging to Peoples Lawyers Wing (PLF) were present.They moved an application, seeking exemption from personal appearance for Malik.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif and Justice Waqar Hassan Mir exempted his appearance just for one day (Wednesday) and ordered him to appear before court on March 25, the next date of hearing.
Advocate Gaffran Khurshid, counsel for complainant Hashim Raza, raised objection to application for Rehmans exemption and his absence from the court.
Advocate Gaffran told the court that his client had been running from pillar to post since last 13 years to get justice for which he (his client) is still waiting.
On this, Chief Justice remarked that his client would be dispensed with full justice and he did not need to worry at all.
The bench also extended till March 25 the stay earlier granted to Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik against his conviction in the two references by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). In 1997, the Federal Minister was granted bail after his conviction.
One reference against Rehman was registered by FIA on complaint of one Hashim Raza, a resident of Lahore. He alleged that Rehman Malik alongwith Muhammad Sajjad Haider, AD/FIA Islamabad and others raided his house in August 1994 and looted jewellery weighing 20 tolas and Rs 7,00,000 cash.
The complainant further alleged that two persons in plainclothes snatched US dollars 20,000 from his brother when they transported him from Lahore Airport to FIA office on his (brothers) arrival from US.
According to NAB, Rehman Malik implicated them in fake cases to please a Major in Pakistan Army who had threatened him in 1990 claiming that Rehman was one of his best friends who would teach him a lesson.
In second reference, Rehman Malik and others were accused of receiving two cars worth Rs 17,98,000 from one Saleem Godial of Toyota Central Motors, Karachi as illegal gratification on account of purchase of official vehicles by FIA worth crore of rupees from Toyota Motors.
Both these cases were initially tried by Special Court dealing with FIA cases but were transferred to Accountability Court after the promulgation of NAB Ordinance in 1999.
Under National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), the proceedings in these references were stopped, however, after the judgment of Supreme Court against the Ordinance the cases were reopened. Further proceeding will start on March 25 alongwith the other NAB cases of similar nature.