Where’d it come from?



It all started with Malik Riaz, Chairman Bahria Town, calling certain media persons and showing them files concerning millions of rupees allegedly provided to Dr Arsalan Choudhry apparently for business purposes. As the matter got soon leaked out through the grapevine, it was bound to raise eyebrows. For quite a few days, Islamabad and Lahore were abuzz with rumours of all types. No one, however, was willing to speak about the matter publicly in view of the respect for the apex court. As Dr Arsalan was not a reputed businessman, questions were bound to arise about the motives of those who entrusted a novice with so much money. There were already questions about his lavish style of living. Some thought certain powerful elements wanted to influence the CJ who was hearing cases that mattered to them. Others believed the move was aimed at discrediting the CJ in particular and the superior judiciary in general. Things came to a head when some of the overzealous media persons went to town over the issue.

The SC did the right thing to take suo motu notice of the matter by calling Arsalan Choudhry and Malik Riaz before a three member bench. However, Justice Iftikhar should perhaps not sit in the proceedings of the case, lest the critics find a way to malign his legal acumen on the basis of his relation with one of the respondents. Arsalan appeared before the court but Malik Riaz failed to turn up. It was maintained that he had gone to UK for treatment. The court has ordered the 10 major executives of the construction empire who are authorised to sanction big funds to appear before it. The one who turned up on Wednesday denied having given Arsalan any money. It is now for Malik Riaz and Bahria Town to produce whatever incriminating evidence they have against Arsalan. They will also have to answer what kind of business agreement, if any, they had entered into with him that necessitated the advance of crores of rupees.

There are numerous examples of well connected youngsters misusing the family connections for their own benefit. Hopefully Dr Arsalan is not one of them. One expects him to explain the sources of his income that help him maintain an expensive style of life.