National Police Foundation land scam: MD asked to register cases, recover looted money

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the National Police Foundation (NPF) Managing Director (MD) Zafar Qureshi to register cases and recover looted money from the perpetrators of the foundation land scam without any influence or pressure.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Amir Hani Muslim delivered order while resuming hearing of suo motu case on NPF land scam. The bench also directed the MD NPF to convene a meeting of Committee of Administration to ensure that land scam should be dealt in accordance with the law without any disparity.
Inquiries into the scam had disclosed that PML-N MNA Anjum Aqueel Khan was allegedly involved in embezzlement of Rs 6 billion in the land scam in connivance with the four former NPF officials, including former managing director Iftikhar Ahmed Khan besides two additional directors Abdul Hannan Sheikh and Khuda Bashkh respectively.
Zafar Qureshi had been supervising the team that is probing NPF mega corruption scam. The CJP asked him, "Why are you not proceeding against Aqeel who grabbed Rs 6 billion in the scam." The Chief Justice of Pakistan observed that apex court took suo motu notice in the NPF land scam case just to save the national wealth, adding that without considering the position of anybody the NPF DG should go for registering cases and recovering looted amount as per law from those who looted the national exchequer.
Qureshi apprised the bench that a total of 23 out of 126 Kanals land has been re-possessed from Anjum Aqueel in favour of the foundation which is worth to Rs 2 billion, adding that some of those affectees were also given plots who were thrown on the streets since decades.
He added that massive irregularities by the foundation's former high ups have been witnessed, adding that instead of distributing the plots to the police applicants the officials got allotted plots in their names as in some cases a single official got more than 10 plots.
Furthermore, Qureshi ensured the bench to register cases against the people at the helm of affairs and submitted that preliminary inquiry on purchasing plots has been finalised whereas the matter is being referred to the Federal Interior Secretary for deputing officials to look into the matter.
On the occasion, the bench allowed Advocate Supreme Court Hamid Khan to submit reply from four former directors of NPF, allegedly involved in the scam within a month.
Anjum Aqueel Khan prayed before the bench to listen to his point of view as in the eye of the law everybody has equal right to defend himself, adding that it is the matter of his fate, his future was at stake. He further said that if the highest judicial forum is unable to deliver then where should I apply for administration of justice.
Justice Tariq Parvez said court was not delivering verdict against him, however, the bench gave him one-month time to submit reply. On the occasion, a widow, Farhat submitted that she paid full amount to the foundation against a plot but at the time of possession she came to know that a house was built on her plot and nobody was paying heed. The CJP asked the MD NPF to address the issue in accordance with the law.
Later on the Supreme Court issued a press release which stated as: A three member bench headed by the CJP heard the Suo Motu Case No 11 of 2011 (Suo Motu action regarding allotment of plots of National Police Foundation by Anjum Aqeel, MNA to his nominees without any formal agreements). The senior lawyers, Government Officers appeared in this case today and the bench passed the following order:-
"Captain Zafar Ahmed Qureshi (Retd), Managing Director, National Police Foundation has appeared and stated that he has conducted a preliminary inquiry, pointing out the illegalities/irregularities in the affairs of purchase of land in National Police Foundation and on the basis of the same he is approaching the Secretary, Ministry of Interior to convene a meeting of the Committee of Administration, to ensure that matter should be dealt with strictly in accordance with law, without causing any prejudice to either of the parties. However, he requests that in order to do the needful, he needs some time.
It is made clear that no one is above the law, whosoever he may be. If there is any violation of rules/regulations or illegalities/irregularities or there is any element of corruption or corrupt practices, in purchase of land by the persons who were at the relevant time in the helm of affairs, the law shall take its own course against them.
One Farhat Iftikhar (a widow) has appeared and stated that she is running from pillar to post for so many years for redressal of her grievance but despite depositing the amount/price of the plot, so far she has not been handed over the possession of the same. Zafar Ahmed Qureshi, MD NPF states that there were such like 53 cases and with the efforts the claims have been satisfied or in the process of decision.
However, the claim of Ms Farhat Iftkhar shall also be examined and if she is entitled to a plot, as it is evident from the document shown in Court, she would also be accommodated. He has further pointed out that instead of distributing the plots to the police force personnel, the high-ups in an arbitrary manner, illegally got allotted the plots in their own names, that too more than their entitlement. According to him even in some of the cases, the number ranges from 10 plots and more to each person therefore, action is also required to be taken against such officers/high-ups.
He is directed to place on file the list of such officers for our perusal and their cases should also be discussed in the proposed meeting of Committee of Administration, being convened by him with the Secretary Interior. He is further directed that he shall convene this meeting before the next date of hearing with a view to save the NPF from the huge losses, allegedly caused as per report.
Hamid Khan, learned Sr ASC has appeared and stated that he has filed Caveat on behalf of some of the ex-officials of the NPF. Similarly, Faisal Naqvi, ASC has appeared on behalf of Makhdoom Ali Khan, Sr ASC and requests that some time be granted to him to file Caveat/counter affidavits against the allegations on behalf of Anjum Aqeel Khan, MNA. He may do so in the meantime. The hearing was adjourned with a direction to date in office after one month.