BoP loan scam case: Hamesh Khan seeks safe passage to appear before Supreme Court

Former president of Bank of Punjab (BoP) and principal accused in Rs 9 billion loan scam, Hamesh Khan, has sought permission from the apex court to appear before it, saying he will not contest the extradition proceedings in US and be saved from humiliation and be allowed to appear before the court without being hand cuffed.
He prayed the court to "instruct Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to arrange for his supervised travel from the US to Pakistan without injuring his dignity and self respect." The applicant has utmost respect for the Supreme Court as well as the Chief Justice and therefore decided not to contest the extradition proceedings.
He wants to come back to Pakistan, on his own, so that he is able to clear his name in the false criminal case against him. The applicant deems it necessary to mention that his return to Pakistan and non appearance before the court was not for the reason that he did not want to appear but he needed some more time so as to get leave of absence from his employer, said the application.
It further said that the applicant in the peculiar circumstances of his case submits that the court may graciously accept his unconditional apology for any inconvenience that he may have caused to the court, FIA and the NAB. However, his actions were motivated by instinct for self preservation and presently he is convinced that the SC would issue instructions to provide him security for his life and save him from harassment and humiliation, the application added.
In his concise statement, annexed with the application, Hamesh Khan held vindictive attitude of Punjab government responsible for his escape. "That after the elections in 2008, the administration of the province was taken over by the newly formed government which lacked harmony with certain political forces. The officials of the government compelled him to provide them confidential information of certain political figures to have political upper hand. He acted in accordance with law,' says the statement.
In July 2008, Mr Khan had escaped from the country despite being on the Exit Control List (ECL). The court provided him several opportunities to appear and had assured security but he did not turn up. In December 2009, Hamesh Khan was arrested in US. The government had contacted Interpol for his arrest. Afterwards, the government initiated extradition proceedings and in this respect Justice Department of the US has been provided with all necessary documentary evidences by the foreign office.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed to issue arrest warrant of Hamesh Khan and his son, in Rs 9 billion Bank of Punjab loan scam, owner of Haris Steel and his son Haris Afzal, industrialist Seth Yaqoob and his daughter Irum Yaqoob. Their assets had already been frozen.
Though Hamesh Khan claim for not having any role in the scam, however, Seikhn Afzal, chief Executive of Harris Steel Industry had alleged to have given Rs 400-500 million to Hamesh Khan for getting the loan. The application is likely to be taken up for hearing here today (Friday).