SC questions anti-corruption head over harassment claim

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday conducted hearing into contempt of court case against director general, Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Lahore, Hussain Asghar, ARY News reported.

A three-member SC bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Khosa conducted the proceedings.

Justice Khosa asked the ACE head that complaints of harassment were received against him from director general Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Amna Imran and mayor Lahore Col Mubashar Javed.

He said a case was filed against by anti-corruption department against DG LDA right after court proceedings in the last hearing.

“What if we also issue a notice to chief secretary Punjab Yousaf Naseem Khokhar as well,” said the judge.

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The chief secretary responded he had no connection in the case, adding the ACD didn’t acquire his permission before filing a case against DG LDA.

Justice Khosa asked: “Tell us the name of the person running Punjab government, so we will issue a notice to him.”

He expressed surprised that chief secretary of the biggest province of the country claiming he had no clue about the case. Advocate general Punjab said his office was also not consulted by the ACE before taking an action.

Justice Ejazul Hasan said chief secretary might also be complicit in the harassment of DG LDA at the hands of ACE. Justice Khosa expressed surprise that an officer assisting the court on the matter was also being harassed.

I think this is the case for National Accountability Bureau (NAB), said the SC judge.

Justice Hasan asked the chief secretary about retirement date of DG anti-corruption department. “His service ends on February 22,” responded the senior officer.

It seemed that the DG ACE is impressing chief minister to get extension in his service, stated Justice Hasan.

The anti-corruption head told the court it was his department’s responsibility to protect interest of the state in response to any wrongdoing.

Justice Azmat Saeed said there was no more confusion after statement of ACD chief that who was running affairs of the provincial government.

The hearing was adjourned till February 27.