Mehran Bank scam reports misplaced

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday was informed by the Attorney General that the reports pertaining to Mehrangate scandal have gone missing and could not be found. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez was hearing the case. During today’s hearing, the Attorney General failed to present the inquiry commission’s reports pertaining to Mehrangate scandal and said that the missing reports could not be found. The bench expressed surprise on learning the fact and ordered the Attorney General to submit his written reply in the matter. CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry remarked that a report should be filed in case the commission’s reports had been stolen as they were very crucial. The court directed the Attorney General to summon Interior Secretary and Law Secretary in his office and obtain information on a 17-year-old report regarding Mehran Bank and Habib Bank. The court also summoned records of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases against Younus Habib, one of main characters behind the controversy and a former head of the now defunct Mehran Bank. The chief justice, in his order, again directed that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to submit its report regarding the distribution of secret funds. The IB had submitted a reply to the court on the case earlier today. Also, during the hearing, former army chief Gen (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg’s counsel, advocate Akram Sheikh, submitted his client’s reply. General Beg opposed the idea of forming a judicial commission to probe the distribution of secret funds to politicians and accused Habib for wanting to prolong the matter by forming the commission. Beg’s reply further stated that Habib was accountable to the NAB and that he had to pay 115 crore rupees to NAB. Earlier, a petition was filed by Habib to form a judicial commission to recover the money disbursed to politicians. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry remarked that a portion of the reports was published then; however, if these reports are missing, then FIRs need to be lodged against those responsible. The apex court also asked National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman to present a report on case against former Mehran bank president Younis Habib. Meanwhile, legal adviser of Intelligence Bureau (IB) produced the sealed report of DIG Aftab Sultan. The Chief Justice directed that this report be kept under wraps. It should be mentioned here that the court assigned Aftab Sultan to probe into the distribution of Rs.270 million by the IB in 2009. The court adjourned the hearing till April 25.