Asghar Khan case: 'No political cell in Presidency after Sept 2008'

A three member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing of the Asghar Khan case. Khan has accused the ISI of financing politicians in 1990 election and creating the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) to prevent the PPP from winning the polls. The petition was based on an affidavit of former ISI Chief Durrani. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain inquired of the president’s secretary as to whether a political cell existed in the presidency prior to Sept 2008. Hayat said there were some files in the possession of the president’s military secretary, adding that he would be able to respond on the matter once he had reviewed those. The attorney for former Army Chief General (retd) Aslam Beg also submitted his clients sworn statement and said there was a political cell in the Presidency. Chief Justice Chaudhry remarked that Beg was aware of IJI funding and that the then President Ghullam Ishar Khan used to be briefed about the activities. The Supreme Court also summoned the details of the 80 million rupees not distributed amongst politicians from the Ministry of Defence by Thursday. Early during proceedings, the court was informed that former Brigadier Hamid Saeed of ISI, who was summoned to appear before the court today, could not do so because of being indisposed. The bench subsequently issued summons for Hamid Saeed for Thursday– who Durrani previously alleged had a role in the distribution of money among politicians. In his remarks, Chief Justice said that the then president’s support for the IJI was a violation of his oath. The chief justice reiterated that the head of state should not support any political group. “Under the Constitution, the president is the head of state, not the chief of a political party,” Chief Justice said. Chief Justice Chaudhry also remarked that the Supreme Court may wrap up proceedings of the case by Thursday.