NAB to approach Pemra against channel

ISLAMABAD: With reference to a private channel programme, a press note by the NAB reads as under:

It is the latest in a long-drawn concerted campaign to strike at the credibility of the NAB as an institution and the Chairman as a person. The programme is a bunch of lies and full of patently incorrect accusations which have time and again been raised previously, but dismissed by Superior Courts.

The allegation regarding illegally drawing pension for the period served in Armed Forces is incorrect. The pension has been claimed and allowed by the authorities under the relevant rules. It is a right which has been acknowledged by the authorities. The sum is too meager to be considered important but the same has been claimed as token of serving the nation with distinction.

The accusation regarding wrong retirement from Armed Forces and induction into Civil Services smacks not only of ignorance but also of malice. The Chairman retired as Major from the Armed Forces and after due process including appearing before the Selection Board was inducted into the Civil Services on completion of all formalities. This remains a matter of public record and needs no clarification.

As regards the issue of involvement in NICL case, the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan in its judgment dated 18th May 2011 in Cr. P. No. 177-180/2011 recorded that: “We have also focused our attention that as to whether it is a case of sheer discrimination as Mr. Qamar-ur-Zaman Chaudhry has not been shown as an accused person.

A careful scrutiny of the entire record would reveal that no role whatsoever has been played by Mr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry in the negotiation or making any recommendation for the price on which the land in question was purchased. It may not be out of place to mention here that Mr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry was merely a Director and therefore, no managerial/material role whatsoever was assigned to him qua the purchase of land in question and factum of discrimination cannot be proved on the basis of bald allegation. It would not be in the interest of justice, fair play and equity to involve Mr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry as there is absolutely no iota of evidence available on record connecting him with the commission of alleged offence”.

The matter was also taken up in three inquiries – a departmental inquiry, an FIA inquiry and a NAB inquiry. All three independent inquiries have absolved him of any wrongdoing. As regards the allegations originated in the book written by one Brig (R) Tirmzi, it may be recalled that these allegations were part of a CP filed before the SCP challenging Chairman’s appointment.

The petition was dismissed and these allegations were found to be without any proof and were termed as casting aspersions. A complaint against 92 TV channel and the anchors is being sent to Pemra for taking legal action as per Pemra’s Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015. The Chairman NAB reserves the right to institute civil, libel proceedings for defamation and damages in this regard.