The Verdict
The curious case of Moonis Elahi

The curious case of Moonis Elahi

Join a party, link yourself to the powerful, and you are guaranteed to never be held accountable for anything.

Sadaf Khan July 07, 2011

So, the interior ministry has pulled yet another stunt with Additional Director of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Zafar Qureshi. We can now officially say that the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has started reaping the benefits of joining the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led government coalition.

Moonis Elahi must feel relieved.

His party is now aligned with the professionals and he can be sure of the fact that the corruption charges levelled against him will probably not translate into a conviction.

As usual, cleansing Elahi's image has required sacrifice from those who believe in principles. Qureshi, the lead investigator of the case has found himself in the doghouse yet again, after he allegedly refused to sit back quietly till the charges on Moonis's involvement in the NICL scam are discredited.

Qureshi has been in the line of fire ever since he linked the scam to Junior Elahi and actually dared to take him into custody for further investigation.

Poor, delusional Qureshi, actually thinking that he could hold a potential candidate for prime minister accountable!

Not a chance!

The PML-Q is not about to let the future prospects of dear old Moonis be tarnished by an actual conviction. Mr Qureshi should have known that his record breaking recovery of Rs1.75 billion in the NICL scam does not matter when it comes to our ruling elite.

A typical Pakistani politics drama ensued. The lead investigator was suddenly transferred to the National Police Department before the investigation finished. The Supreme Court, continuing its bid to go after all powerhouses, stepped in to ensure that he was reinstated at his position. Again, in another dramatic twist, court orders were immediately neutered by the transfer of four key members of Qureshi's team to different provinces. The second suspension came in the wake of his application to restore these four FIA officials.

There hasn't been anything subtle about the way this case is being handled - no delicate clues, no delicate hints to back off. The government seems to be devoid of any fear of persecution, and has continued to disrupt the investigation on each and every level.

As is the norm now, the Supreme Court has stepped in yet again and has summoned the Attorney General to present a complete record of the suspension. But, as the court battles it out with the bureaucracy, the government continues its blatant efforts to skew the investigation. The case has taken more dramatic turns as key witnesses have changed stories and have even denied ever giving a statement to FIA.

This case is fast becoming a perfect example of how justice is 'managed' in Pakistan's political circles. Sadly, there is nothing new in this whole scenario. Just new characters playing out the same old story that rules the way Pakistani politics is played.

But maybe we should look for the silver lining.

Who says Pakistan doesn't have opportunities?

The only thing you need is to be associated with the right people at the right time.

So, forget principles and forget merit. Don't worry about making a fortune in a legal manner. Join a party, link yourself with the rich and the powerful, and your fortune, no matter how you've made it would be legalised - for that is the way of Pakistan.

WRITTEN BY:
Sadaf Khan A broadcast journalist based in Islamabad who was formerly associated with Geo News and Dunya News. She blogs at http://ibteda.wordpress.com/

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (14)

Inam ul Haq | 12 years ago | Reply Nature is bound to play its role when even iota of hope is not left. Let us wait till then.

ayub ali | 12 years ago | Reply Since the writer has given her verdict, there is nothing left to argue about. She should look at the actual facts of the case as well. Probably she has and only taken out what suits her verdict. She should not forget the fact that final challan had been submitted and trial was commencing when pmlq joined government. That means that government could not help him from there onwards and rightly so the judiciary has taken up the matter in their own hands. Interesting after thought How come judiciary doesn't take up any case against sharifs? Is it because they are bias or on their pay roll? Even more so why doesn't the writer dare write anything on sharifs...

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basharat | 12 years ago | Reply There is no case against Moonis Elahi inasmuch as he was not a party to the sale or purchase of the disputed land nor there is any evidence involving him the case . Almost all the witness have deposed in the trial court exonerating Moonis Elahi . It had been alleged that some witnesses had stated during the investigation that a portion of sale proceed transferred in the bank account of a co accused which actually meant for Moonis Elahi . In normal course , evidence of an accomplice is not relied upon unless , it is corroborated by some independent source . Let us see what the court decides.

Majid Ur Rehman | 12 years ago | Reply It should have not been difficult for you to start a business after getting some proper education and having good bank balance, Moonis. You should have taken it as a challenge to bring about a new business in Pakistan which could help Pakistan as well as your own economy but you preferred to loot the money of people of Pakistan. This is certainly not what Wharton School of Business teaches to its students. Shame on you Moonis. You not only brought the name of your family down but also your institute.

Usman Bashir | 12 years ago | Reply Just one point to add here which both side of parties are ignoring, PPP Govt prepared the ground of bringing and bargaining with Q by pushing the case for Moonis but once they got what they want. They found themselves in muddle now because CJ and ZQ are not letting it go easily. This is why Govt is playing dirty politics. Its easy to criticise CJ these days even though in my eyes he seems quite lenient at them.

Ammad Qureshi | 12 years ago | Reply Yes I agree with Sadaf, the present Govt is putting all its efforts and energies to save Monis Elahi,if they would have put its energies and efforts to resolve issues like load shedding, inflation and law and order then things would have a lot better than present..may Allah save Pakistan from these hypocrites. Ammad Qureshi. Rawalpindi

haseeb maken | 12 years ago | Reply i think no one can question the honesty and competency of mr zafar qureshi.................................NO TIME HAS COME! ACCOUNTABILITY for every one no matter how INFLUENTIAL he/she is.....

parvez | 12 years ago | Reply I think you have called it like it is. Also the abject pessimism and despair you portray is the feeling most of us share along with a big dose of disgust.

sK | 12 years ago | Reply Bob - This the the grease Pakistan's wheels turn on....all you need to do is set one example....but...who will do it? When saviors team up with foes, all you wait for is a natural disaster, that leaves behind nothing....thats our true worth....our fate....

Truth Seeker | 12 years ago | Reply Lucifer has reserved jobs for Pakistani legal charlatans to assist those 'innocent' mortals who are scared to death; after their compulsory expulsion from this planet, to be pushed into hell. In the present life these crooks are minting money ,and in the 'afterlife' there future is pretty secured in 'Lucifer Associates'.

ajmal | 12 years ago | Reply @M.Y. sahb, please see the details of the case and then comment.The case was nearly proved against Monis when his father and uncles joined hands with the corruption specialists and turned the tables around. The fake accounts were detected and even his manager was going to record his statement against him. This is a particular situation and the court is dealing with a bunch of thieves, trying to digest billions of the poor nation.We cant go by the standard beaurocratic norms here, because these are laton ke bhoot.

Bob Thomas (Esq.) | 12 years ago | Reply The article has a point, and M.Y. has a point - However, without going into a macro issue (judiciary etc) - we can pretty much ascertain that Moonis is looking very guilty - and even though this may be a selected case - why can we not bring him to justice and make him pay? How much longer do our people have to suffer this crap? Why can't we make an example of this kid, who has no regard or respect for our laws or country? The saddest part is - if he is let go now, then one day he will be in a position of power because of his name. If he is made to pay, then atleast there is one less corrupt guy in the top echelons

ali bilawal | 12 years ago | Reply I agree with the writer completely, and disagree with Mr. Qaisrani too. I suppose the matter is as simple as it gets, why is the government or the bureaucracy protecting anyone? If its in the courts; let the courts handle it. 1.75 billion of recovery deserves to be rewarded, ADG Qureshi can be considered a patriot and an honest individual in a jungle where monkeys run the show.

M.Y.Qaisrani | 12 years ago | Reply The things are not that simple, as the learned writer wants to believe. Honourable Supreme Court is not that going after powerhouses in Pakistan. It seems selective where to go and where not to go. I would request the learned writer to have a glance backward in the last a year or so to arrive at an appropriate conclusion. Having no love lost for Chaudhries or Moonis Elahi or PPP, allow me to say in principle that separation of Executive & Judiciary is compromised if the judiciary wants a particular case to be investigated by particular investigating officer(s). In such a situation, the accused may question the credibility of whole process and may say, "Judge desired to punish me anyway; that is why he got my case investigated by an officer of his choice". So when prosecutor and court join hands, there is no possibility of justice to accused. Apart from that, no public servant is supposed to impose her/himself upon her/his bosses or assume him/herself indispensible, no matter how outstanding he/she may be. So the things surrounding the Add DG FIA (now said to be under suspension) show that Mr Qureshi should have remained within parameters of official decorum & discipline. The whole matter seems to me a tug of war between political 'super-players' at national and at Punjab level.

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