Axact scandal: Govt, interior minister’s credibility at stake

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) experts, probing the mega Axact fake degree scandal, are on their toes because of the constant and close oversight of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan due to the international nature of the fraud.
In Pakistan often influential accused got scot free as investigations against them are hushed up. But in this case the credibility and respect of the government and the interior minister is at stake as the interior minister firmly believes that the rip-off has brought immense shame and disgrace to Pakistan that can only be dispensed with by bringing those responsible for it to justice. “Anybody found guilty will not be spared come what may,” he has stated.
In his presence, it is well neigh impossible for any powerful quarters to exert pressure on the FIA team to get the investigation wrapped up or twisted in favour of the IT company. Even in the past, the interior minister has faced pressure in different cases, but has never yielded to it. This caused consternation in some circles.
Given the kind of no-nonsensical character and personality that Chaudhry Nisar is known to have, he is poised to take the inquest to its logical conclusion.
The good news that he gave on Saturday was that a ‘substantive progress’ has been made in the investigation, which is going ahead apace. However, FIA authorities are in no hurry to lodge the cases against Axact unless the investigation is completed and the agency prepares the charge-sheet that can stand the scrutiny of law in a court.
Considering the international scope and quantum of the scam, the interior minister has taken the correct decision to seek ‘serious’ assistance of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), British agencies and Interpol. Apparently, it is beyond the domain of the FIA to go deep into the fraud without the involvement of foreign agencies.
Since as per the revelations made so far at different levels, although a lot of is yet to come out, a predominant majority of the swindled people is either Americans and other foreigners or are based outside Pakistan, getting help of global agencies was required. The overseas accounts and money trail can also be traced by engaging such prestigious agencies only.
It is unfair not to believe Chaudhry Nisar when he says that the investigation will be open and transparent. Until now, he has ensured that there is no sluggishness and slackness on the part of the FIA. In fact, at present the agency has this assignment over and above every other probe it is conducting.
Some cynical elements, obsessed with the whispering campaign, apprehend that the Axact scandal will be hushed up, as it had happened many times about several mammoth scandals. However, they ignore the fact that the interior minister is undoubtedly the main strength behind the quick investigation.
An informed source told The News that Chaudhry Nisar was getting updates about the probe. This has also sent a clear message to the FIA investigators that they are being monitored and they have to move fast before any evidence is destroyed.
The interior minister spurned criticism on him and the government for not moving against Axact before the American newspaper busted the scandal. But he expressed the view that previous governments had shown negligence in looking at the affairs of the IT company when and after it was registered with the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan way back in 2006. He is proving that the moment the swindle was fully exposed, he quickly moved to get it thoroughly probed and he means business.