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Insurance industry

Presidential Camp Joins Efforts to Protect Moonis Elahi in NICL Scam

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Efforts by the President's camp to rescue Moonis Elahi, the son of influential leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, have joined the federal government's bid to protect him. The Supreme Court has been approached to change the head of the probe team investigating the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam, with Senator Babar Awan, counsel for Moonis Elahi, requesting the court to replace Zafar Qureshi due to alleged impartiality. This move is seen as a tactic to gain more time and engage the courts in irrelevant issues until Zafar Qureshi is retired. Despite the Prime Minister's Secretariat and now the Presidential camp joining forces to protect Moonis Elahi, the Chief Justice has stated that the investigation into the NICL scam will continue even after Zafar Qureshi's retirement.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Babar Awan has requested the Supreme Court to change the head of the probe team investigating the NICL scam due to alleged impartiality of Zafar Qureshi.
  • Three attempts have been made to prevent Zafar Qureshi from investigating the case, including his removal from the team, relocation of his team to distant areas, and his eventual removal from service.
  • The Chief Justice has stated that the investigation into the NICL scam will continue even after Zafar Qureshi's retirement.
  • President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have allegedly agreed with the Chaudhry family that as long as Zafar Qureshi remains active, he will not let Moonis Elahi walk free.
  • The PML-Q joined the ruling coalition to save Moonis Elahi in the NICL scam as the principal element.
  • The federal government and Presidential camp are inclined to protect Moonis Elahi to save the government, despite their move being detrimental to the institutions, particularly the judiciary.

Statistics:

  • Moonis Elahi has allegedly amassed more than 1.1 million sterling pounds in his bank accounts in the United Kingdom.
  • The Chief Justice has stated that the investigation into the NICL scam will continue even after Zafar Qureshi's retirement.
  • Three attempts have been made to prevent Zafar Qureshi from investigating the case.
  • The PML-Q was on the verge of collapse when it joined the ruling coalition to save Moonis Elahi.

Sources:

  • Terence J. Sigamony, Islamabad (THE NATION), August 20, 2011

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