ISLAMABAD: Holding the Holy Qura'n in his hand, real estate tycoon Malik Raiz Tuesday opened a Pandora's Box by quizzing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on three counts during a press conference here.
"Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should reveal how many meetings have held between him and CJ in the darkness of night? Was Arsalan Iftikhar not a part of these meetings, does he not know me? The sitting Registrar was also present during several of these meetings."
Secondly, he asked: "How many meetings were held at the residence of Ahmed Khalil between the Chief Justice and Prime Minister and was there not an acting judge of the Supreme Court present during one of the meetings?"
"How long did the Chief Justice know about this case and why did he wait till media reports to take suo moto notice," Malik Riaz posed the third question.
Malik Riaz alleged that he was blackmailed and did not pay any bribes. He described Arsalan Iftikhar, son of the Chief Justice, as ‘don’, adding he was the one running the judiciary.
However, Malik Riaz clarified that he had not accused the Chief Justice of anything and respected him.
When asked of repercussions which may arise following such a news conference, Malik Riaz replied that he did not care if he was charged with contempt or sent to prison.
"The Supreme Court would be responsible if our project was made to sink," he claimed.
Recalling the days of his past, he said he used to be a poor man who had to walk on foot for as many as 8 kilometres as he had no money. "I did not even have enough cash for medical treatment of my daughter," he added.
He said whatever he owned today was bestowed to him by the grace of Allah, adding 75 percent of his assets were being used for welfare work.
"I have been blackmailed, and like me many other businessmen were blackmailed too," he made a grave accusation, adding, that he had always supported the Chief Justice in his columns. "But, Arsalan Iftikhar is a don," he added.
Malik Riaz said today he went to the Supreme Court not for buying justice but to present the facts.
At the end, he said he would hold one more press conference next week and reveal further details.
SC Registrar's reaction:
In reaction to the allegations leveled by Malik Riaz, the Supreme Court Registrar Faqir Hussain said that the real estate tycoon had met with Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry during the days of latter's deposition.
Speaking to Geo News, Faqir Hussain said that two to three such meetings had taken place during which he too was present. The Chief Justice held no meetings with Malik Riaz after his restoration, he clarified.
Aitzaz Ahsan's reaction:
Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has confirmed that he had informed the Chief Justice about the rumours doing the rounds about Dr Arsalan Iftikhar’s dubious business transactions with Malik Riaz Hussain.
While talking to Geo News after a blistering press conference of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz, he said he had told the CJ about the sensitivity of the matter but did not show any documents to him in this regard.
The allegations are of serious nature, Aitzaz said, adding that he did not follow up with the chief justice on the issue afterward.