Shoaib Bhutta’s wife rebuts report

Reporter stands by his story

ISLAMABAD: Ms Zariyab Mussarat wife of Mr Shoaib Bhutta has issued following clarification in response to a story printed in daily The News:

“Please refer to a news item appearing in The News Islamabad/Rawalpindi dated 10.01.2016 captioned “Ombudsman office being used to save a ‘journalist’”. 

In this connection I would like to state that the said news item alleging that I have been using my official position to influence the Islamabad Police for release of my under detention husband in an alleged case of business fraud is totally baseless.

I would like to strongly deny and state that I had never used my official position to influence the Islamabad Police authorities in my husband’s case. However, as a wife and as a citizen of this country you will agree, I have a right to defend my husband. However, I have been making queries in my individual capacity and trying to assist my husband in this case.

I am a deputationist working with the Mohtasib Secretariat for the last four years under the order issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting much before the incumbent Hon’ble Wafaqi Mohtasib had taken over charge of this Organisation.

The baseless story has prompted the Hon’ble Wafaqi Mohtasib to set up an enquiry committee consisting of two senior retired grade 22 officers to determine if I had been trying to influence the Islamabad Police authorities in my husband’s case as alleged in the said report. I have been called by the Committee to appear before it.

It is clarified that my husband’s case is sub judice and is before the Sessions Court and the court is to decide the matter. The baseless allegation against me besides causing mental torture to me and my family has resulted in official investigations against me. I am mother of three children and would request the esteemed daily to publish my clarification and also verify facts before making one sided allegations.

Ahmad Noorani Adds: The News story was self-explanatory and contained all verified details which are also endorsed in this clarification. The News stands by its story.