ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that despite evidences against certain accused of M/s Abbas Steel Mills and others, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was not taking appropriate steps.
A three-member bench of the supreme court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice
Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani while hearing a suo moto case pertaining to corruption in Pakistan Steel Mills, in its order noted that FIA had not taken steps against such people who had been declared proclaimed offenders.
The court noted that M/s Abbas and others who had been shareholders of Pakistan Steel Mills were also running their business as private limited company and this aspect was not given due attention by the investigation officers.
It said that the composition of the proprietaries and owners of such companies kept changing to escape criminal prosecution, who were also equally responsible for losses to the Pakistan Steel Mills. The SC bench also directed FIA officials not to harass about 80 dealers and proceed against them strictly in accordance with the law.
Moazzam Jah Ansari, Director FIA Karachi, submitted a report with the bench saying that shareholders/owners of M/s Abbas and Lalji had caused losses to PSM due to their criminal conduct.
Fakahruddin G Ebrahim, counsel for PSM, apprised the bench that forensic audit report of the mills was in the process which was likely to be completed in June. He said notices had also been served on those who were liable to pay to PSM and among them some had deposited the amount while others were contesting the matter.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry while expressing his displeasure over FIA progress said that one year had passed but it appeared that either the accused were favoured or the officials concerned did not know the law. When Ansari told that some of the shareholders of the companies were foreign nationals, the Chief Justice said, “We will presume that you are responsible for letting the people escape.”
The FIA director said the consignment meant for PSM was purchased on high rates, besides payment for transportation was also made on high price.
Secretary Ministry of Industries Abdul Ghaffar Soomro said by the year 2011 end, the PSM would have no recurring losses. He said 43 companies had responded to their notices over the issue of recovery of the amount.
To a bench’s query, the secretary replied that its losses had been decreased from Rs26 billion recorded in 2008-09 to Rs11 billion in the year 2010-11.
Umar Raza Kasuri, counsel for 80 dealers, complained that FIA officials were harassing his clients. He said the PSM administration was asking them to pay Rs16.6 million against a commission of Rs12.8 million to show recovery.
The court adjourned hearing for 15 days and hinted that hearing date for audit report would be fixed later.
A three-member bench of the supreme court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice
Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani while hearing a suo moto case pertaining to corruption in Pakistan Steel Mills, in its order noted that FIA had not taken steps against such people who had been declared proclaimed offenders.
The court noted that M/s Abbas and others who had been shareholders of Pakistan Steel Mills were also running their business as private limited company and this aspect was not given due attention by the investigation officers.
It said that the composition of the proprietaries and owners of such companies kept changing to escape criminal prosecution, who were also equally responsible for losses to the Pakistan Steel Mills. The SC bench also directed FIA officials not to harass about 80 dealers and proceed against them strictly in accordance with the law.
Moazzam Jah Ansari, Director FIA Karachi, submitted a report with the bench saying that shareholders/owners of M/s Abbas and Lalji had caused losses to PSM due to their criminal conduct.
Fakahruddin G Ebrahim, counsel for PSM, apprised the bench that forensic audit report of the mills was in the process which was likely to be completed in June. He said notices had also been served on those who were liable to pay to PSM and among them some had deposited the amount while others were contesting the matter.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry while expressing his displeasure over FIA progress said that one year had passed but it appeared that either the accused were favoured or the officials concerned did not know the law. When Ansari told that some of the shareholders of the companies were foreign nationals, the Chief Justice said, “We will presume that you are responsible for letting the people escape.”
The FIA director said the consignment meant for PSM was purchased on high rates, besides payment for transportation was also made on high price.
Secretary Ministry of Industries Abdul Ghaffar Soomro said by the year 2011 end, the PSM would have no recurring losses. He said 43 companies had responded to their notices over the issue of recovery of the amount.
To a bench’s query, the secretary replied that its losses had been decreased from Rs26 billion recorded in 2008-09 to Rs11 billion in the year 2010-11.
Umar Raza Kasuri, counsel for 80 dealers, complained that FIA officials were harassing his clients. He said the PSM administration was asking them to pay Rs16.6 million against a commission of Rs12.8 million to show recovery.
The court adjourned hearing for 15 days and hinted that hearing date for audit report would be fixed later.
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