PSM corruption case: Supreme Court rejects Malik's request for verbal explanation

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Interior Minister Rehman Malik's request to verbally give explanation that he had not committed contempt by setting up a joint investigation team to probe into Rs 22 billion loss incurred by Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing a suo motu case initiated against the alleged corruption in Pakistan Steel Mills. Earlier on December 17, the court had issued notice to the minister for transferring FIA Director General Tariq Khosa, terming it an act of interference in the court affairs, as he was investigating the loss of Rs 22 billion in PSM.
Appearing on the notice, Rehman Malik said: "I believe in the rule of law and in the Constitution of Pakistan." He sought permission to verbally explain his position in the case, but the court rejected his plea and directed him to personally appear along with a written reply on January 25. "We would proceed according to rules, first of all you have to give the reply to the showcause notice," the Chief Justice observed.
Rehman Malik said he could not engage or discuss with a counsel due to his hectic schedule, therefore, be granted some time to do the needful, which the court accepted. The court also made it clear that he would again have to appear in person on the next date of hearing.
Appearing on notice, Azam Khan, Director Legal FIA presented a progress report on the case. Muhammad Zubair, Director Filed FIA Karachi informed the court that four FIRs have so far been registered in the case and further cases would be registered against the accused persons in coming days.
Earlier, Zubair did not disclose the names of those against whom cases were registered or were to be registered. However, later on to a query by the counsel of Abbas Group of Industries, he said case was registered against the company. Given details, Zubair said that case was registered against Malik Bashir, Khalid Khan and Ms Sabeen Sakina.
Afterwards, the court directed the FIA to conduct proceedings without any influence particularly influence of this court. The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice of the case on an article published in a local newspaper regarding corruption of Rs 22 billion in Pakistan Steel Mills. It was said in the article that the government still does not know the exact losses, as there are varied figures. It's the PSM management, which estimated the concern's losses at Rs 22bn.
"Interestingly, Moeen Aftab Sheikh, PSM chairman, was removed even before an inquiry was instituted or a report submitted about his supposed wrongdoings," it said. Pakistan Steel's provisional financial documents for the period ended June 30, 2009 show that the corporation faced a historical loss of Rs 22.143 billion during July-June of 2008-09 as compared to a profit of Rs 2.375 billion in 2007-08.
The current liabilities of the corporation surged to Rs 28.129 billion in 2009, which stood at Rs 8.24 billion in FY08. Meanwhile, talking to reporters at the Supreme Court, Rehman Malik said, "The PPP government completely respects the courts and their decisions." He said he came to appear before the court like an ordinary citizen.