Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik Thursday submitted before the Supreme Court a written apology for interfering in the investigation of Rs 26 billion Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) scam. In his unconditional apology, Malik stated that he always respected the court and its judges and could not think to commit contempt of court, saying he now left himself on the mercy of the court.
In a Civil Miscellaneous Application, the minister contended that changing the investigation of PSM was not meant to interfere in the court matters but to enlarge the scope of the inquiry already being conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency. He further prayed the bench to accept his unconditional apology and withdraw the contempt notice, issued him.
Appearing in person before the bench, Malik contended that he intended to argue his case as his counsel had failed to explain appropriately the position of his case. However, the bench asked him that his case would be taken up after March 16, 2013.
Later, talking to media persons in the premises of the Supreme Court, Malik said he had always been respecting the courts and would continue to do so in future. "I was trying to enhance the scope of investigation by taking this step," he said. He further explained, "I initiated the investigation because National Assembly told me to give details - I presented myself to the Supreme Court because I want to gain respect and not embarrassment."
The minister said he was proud of exposing the names of criminals and urged the Punjab government to take action against Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and said that it is fact that there would be peace in the country if Punjab government took action against that outfit. He further said he should not be compared with Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri.
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