Nisar rejects JC formation over Mustafa Kamal’s allegations

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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday rejected the demands from some quarters about formation of a Judicial Commission (JC) to investigate allegations of former Karachi Mayor, Syed Mustafa Kamal against Altaf Hussain.

He said it is not quite necessary to set up a Commission on every press conference and certain claims.

Addressing a press conference, Nisar said Mustafa Kamal neither mentioned anything new in his press conference, nor he produced any documentary evidence to support his allegations.

He said that Mustafa Kamal had left Pakistan at his own will and now returned and addressed a press conference on his own.

He said there is no obligatory n the government to respond or issue its viewpoint in response to all political statements.

The Minister said if Mustafa Kamal has any evidence, he can share it with FIA officials.

Ch. Nisar invited Mustafa Kamal or any other to share evidence and made it clear that there would be no injustice with MQM or anyone else.

With regard to claims of MQM leader Sarfraz Merchant about money laundering, the Minister said he has formed a committee to investigate and added Sarfraz Merchant did share some evidence on media.

“The team would ask Mr. Merchant to come to Pakistan and share documentary proofs. In case, he does not come, we will send a team to the United Kingdom to interview him for which permission would be sought from British government,” he said and added the Committee would meet on Monday.

The other important point, he mentioned was the visit of Pakistan’s cricket team to India for T-20 World Cup and said a three-member security team has been constituted to visit India on Monday to assess security environment for the cricket team.

Based on initial report of team, a decision would be made about scheduled departure of cricket team for India on Wednesday, he added.

Ch. Nisar said disturbing reports about security threats to Pakistan team are emanating from India including threats from extremists and militant organizations to create law and order problem during visit of Pakistan cricket team.

He pointed out that these threats are not hollow as Pakistani artistes and Head of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also faced humiliation during their visit to India.

In this backdrop, security of the players is prime concern, and departure of the team can be delayed till necessary assurances for their safety are provided, he added.

He also pointed out that it is not a bilateral visit but a world cup where Pakistan’s participation is necessary. Pakistan is an important cricket playing country and it is responsibility of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide foolproof security to its team, he added.

“The cricket team would not be given green signal to depart for India until the government got satisfied with regard to security arrangements for our players,” he said.

Answering another question, Chaudhry Nisar said the security team would be headed by Director FIA and would have one representative each of the PCB and Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

The Minister contradicted a report, appearing in a section of media that there is a proposal to restrict powers of FIA. He said FIA is doing well and has recovered Rs 14.6 billion during the last two years in corruption cases.

He said there are overlapping functions of FIA and NAB, and these would be considered. He categorically stated that this does mean clipping of powers of either FIA or NAB.

Answering a question, the Minister said he has taken notice of mobile phone towers in residential areas and directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe the matter.

He said installation of mobile phone towers at inappropriate places in Capital have negative effects of their radiation on people’s health.

Ch. Nisar said he is trying to conduct a study on the matter and a report would be presented to him within a month.