LAHORE - Within a day, the case of Dr Arsalan has become complex, intricate, highly significant and susceptible to open up a Pandora’s box that may strike the mind to find out if a conspiracy is at work to undermine and bring the judiciary under thumb of the power that be in the country or actually something bad was committed by Arsalan which was deliberately overlooked by the head of the Apex Court. Jurists stated that the case is loaded with more than what meets the eye while cropping up a number of important questions the answer to which can be given only by a thorough investigation at the level of trial court, which may be a High Court, as the matter is not only of saving one of the three organs but to also protect the others from being jolted. Some jurists dubbed it 9/11, the effects of which were felt every in nook and corner. They say timing of the disclosures made by Malik Riaz and the background events hold paramount value side by side. Interestingly Malik Riaz who commended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s integrity and honesty while stating before the Supreme Court Bench took a somersault outside while addressing a Press conference pulled Iftikhar Chaudhry in the matter levelling charges of holding secret meetings with him and termed his son ‘don’ of the judiciary. However, the SC Registrar immediately rose to respond and clarified that the meetings of Malik with the CJ were held when he was deposed and that too to obtain his meeting with Asif Ali Zardari which the CJ declined. For the Jurists, the Chief Justice stands absolved of any effect after no relief was given to Malik Riaz in 42 cases before the SC and no documentary proof has been presented before the court to show involvement of the CJ in the matter or that he was beneficiary in any manner. Senior jurist Abid Hassan Minto has termed Malik Riaz allegations a well thought out conspiracy to destroy institution of the judiciary which was the only hope after destruction of all institutions.He told this correspondent that the case is not simply of giving and accepting bribe for a certain purpose but more than that it was a full grown conspiracy being pushed by those whom Malik named and stayed close in his company. Malik counts President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani among his close friends while possibility of his being a friend of the Army Chief cannot be overruled.Minto says conspiracy is telling on the face of the matter as in a simple bribe case, one party does not bother to maintain video, pictures, documents and other material taking such a great care. Minto said a proper trial was needed to unveil the faces behind the conspiracy. After consent of all parties, that forum may be the high court, he added.Barrister Farogh Naseem says Malik Riaz in the Press conference announced to expose more on the case next time as if he was writing episodes of a suspense story. He said whatever Malik had, he should have presented at once and by holding back evidence for disclosure next time, he in fact, had weakened his case. He said at the Press conference Malik Riaz did not show any evidence but he targeted the whole judiciary for which a comprehensive probe must be held.Senior jurist Muhammad Akram Sheikh also voiced for a thorough inquiry but against Malik Riaz for influencing the judicial process by offering bribe and doling out money among the media men, politicians and others to corrupt them. Sheikh said Malik admitted to have offered bribe which amounts to a confession. He said Malik failed to present to the media a single case decided in his favour, and despite that he continued to spend crore of rupees for three years. Was he so naïve and ignorant or deliberately trapping the Chief Justice, needs to looked into, Akram Sheikh said calling for immediate enlistment of his name on ECL. Former Judge of the Supreme Court Wajihuddin Ahmad has smelt the government hand in the matter and substantiate him point from the Memogate case whose inquiry has been completed and accusation against Hussain Haqqani have been established which, he added, must have come to knowledge of the rulers and it unleashed the Arsalan scandal. He said the tentacles of the Memogate touched the Presidency and this fact must be kept in mind.Senior jurist Muhammad Azhar Siddique while dubbing the case 9/11 said it is going to bounce back on Malik Riaz who he ,added, is acting on the behest of the rulers facing high profile cases before the SC. He said timing of allegations against Arsalan is very significant as the SC is going to resume hearing of the Memogate case, Speaker’s ruling in favour of the Prime Minister case, missing persons case, NICL, NRO and others which pertain to the allegations of corruption against the rulers. As such Arsalan scandal case has been triggered with an aim to pressurising the judiciary and bringing it under the thumb ,however, without realising the fact that the situation has changed and now the masses stand with independent judiciary headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. 

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