Daily Times

The politics of expediency and opportunism are at play in the scandal surrounding the removal, reinstatement and now suspension of Additional Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Zafar Qureshi, who was the chief investigator of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam. Moonis Elahi, son of former chief minister of Punjab and leader of PML-Q, Parvez Elahi, had been implicated in this case, which is being heard in the Supreme Court (SC). It seemed for the first time that big fish would be caught and brought to book after doing thorough investigations. However, the tables were turned and all investigations were stopped after the PPP and PML-Q reached a political deal to prevent the PPP government from falling. It appears that part of the deal was to bail out Moonis Elahi. To achieve this, the government went overboard and invited the ire of the SC, which was justifiably perturbed by the sudden removal of an officer who was doing his job honestly. The government had no choice but to reinstate the officer. But to counter the court’s order, Zafar Qureshi has now been suspended and his junior officers assisting him in investigations have been transferred, effectively undermining the process of law. The court would be justified if it decides to take contempt of court notice of this action. Reportedly, the SC has asked the government to answer for this highly controversial move by the government. Zafar Qureshi has claimed that some other people, who could be implicated in the scam, are also involved in his removal.

The problem of Pakistan is that the wealthy and influential people reach the corridors of power to make and launder illegitimate wealth by using political influence and government machinery in an environment where there is little concern for accountability. When the PPP was in dire straits, with JUI-F’s quitting the coalition at the Centre and MQM threatening to do so, both PPP and PML-Q found it expedient to join hands. Therefore, it is not surprising that, as a quid pro quo for supporting an increasingly unpopular government facing an increasingly vocal opposition, the PPP decided to give a leeway to the beloved scion of their collaborators. The interior ministry swung into action and did everything to stop the investigations. Had the PML-Q been an opposition party, it is highly unlikely that such concessions would have been made. The government deserves a reprimand for obstructing the course of law and justice and protecting a suspect involved in corruption. In this context, Chaudhry Shujaat’s statement that Zafar Qureshi was working as a stooge of PML-N cannot neutralise the perception that PML-Q is using its influence to protect Moonis Elahi. This is a scam that cannot be brushed under the carpet by the magic of Chaudhry Shujaat’s favourite phrase: ‘mitti pao’ (bury it). If Moonis Elahi is innocent, he should appear before the court and prove it. It would set a very good example of accountability of those in power and add to the credibility of the government. This case also highlights the need for an impartial accountability mechanism that works without fear or favour and is autonomous of the government’s influence. It is high time that the government made progress on the National Accountability Commission Bill that has been rotting in the relevant standing committee since it was admitted for debate.*