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'Give us proof of bank accounts': SC forms new JIT to investigate anchor's claims about suspect in Zainab case
Rana BilalUpdated January 28, 2018
340
7
Six-year-old Zainab's father arrives at SC's Lahore registry ahead of a suo motu hearing into the rape, murder of his daughter.─DawnNews
The Supreme Court on Sunday formed a new joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the claims made by television anchor Dr Shahid Masood about the suspect in Zainab Amin's rape and murder case.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar gave the order for the JIT while presiding over the three-member apex bench conducting a suo motu hearing into the Zainab case at the SC's Lahore registry.
Television anchor Shahid Masood arrives at SC's Lahore registry ahead of a suo motu hearing into the Zainab murder case.─DawnNews
The chief justice ordered Masood, who was present in court, to appear before the newly formed JIT — which will be led by director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Bashir Ahmed — and present evidence to back his claims.
The anchorperson had claimed during a late night show that Zainab's suspected rapist and murderer was a member of a pornography gang, which also includes a Punjab minister. During the previous hearing of the case, Masood had also told the court that the suspect has 37 foreign accounts.
His claims about the bank accounts, however, were rejected by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its report to the JIT that was formed earlier by the Punjab government to probe the rape and murder of Zainab.
"Do not talk about unrelated matters; give us proof of the bank accounts," the chief justice told the anchor on Sunday. "If the statements you have made turn out to be true, we will give you the medal for number one journalist."
"If your news turns out to be untrue, [then] you cannot even imagine what will happen," the chief justice warned.
During the hearing, Masood requested time from the court to allow him to complete what he wished to say regarding the case. He went on to claim that Zainab was gang raped, adding that only one criminal had been arrested.
"They are trying to protect the gang that they have nurtured," he added.
"Are you aware that these allegations can change the direction of the investigations?" the chief justice asked the anchor.
The court told the anchor that they could order his name to be put on the Exit Control List, saying that he would have to appear before the JIT formed by the court.
The chief justice clarified that the Bashir Ahmed-led JIT would operate separately from the one formed earlier by the Punjab government.
"The Mohammad Idrees-led JIT will only investigate the murder case," the chief justice said, adding that the new JIT would focus on Masood's allegations.
The court ordered that investigations into the case should be completed as soon as possible and a challan should be filed. Prosecutor General Punjab Ehtisham Qadir was asked to oversee the filing of the challan.
Zainab's father barred from addressing media
During the hearing, the court barred Muhammad Amin ─ the father of six-year-old Zainab ─ and his lawyer from holding further press conferences.
Zainab's parents had arrived at the SC shortly before the bench began the hearing.
Welling-up, Amin told the court that the suspect should be severely punished so that no such crime is committed ever again. The chief justice asked him to have a seat before turning to Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir, director general of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), and ordering the use of modern technology and devices to quickly compelete investigations.
"You are a capable person and I am depending on you quite a lot," the chief justice told Tahir. Chief Justice Nisar added that his personal number will be provided to the DG so that the latter may contact him in case of any problems with the probe.
"If there is any problem, please inform me, as well," Zainab's father said.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz Khan, head of the joint investigation team probing Zainab's murder, Additional IG Abu Bakar Khuda Bakhsh, and chief secretary of Punjab, Khizer Hayat, were also present in the court for today's hearing.
Media figures appear in court
The court, on Saturday, had summoned 12 media executives and anchors to appear for today's hearing.
Appearing before the bench, Zia Shahid of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors said that if neutral investigations are conducted, the truth behind Masood's allegations can be unveiled. He noted that several incidents of child pornography have been reported.
When asked by the chief justice about his opinion regarding the formation of a JIT by the court, Shahid said "an independent JIT should be formed".
Arif Nizami, former editor of The Nation and founder of Pakistan Today, told the court that if Masood's allegations are not true, the statements he made regarding the case would be "equivalent to the death of journalism".
Anchorperson Hamid Mir, however, stated that if Masood's allegations are proven to be incorrect, he should be allowed to seek forgiveness.
"Journalists make mistakes. He should be given the right to forgiveness," Mir said in court, later tweeting that Masood "missed his chance to admit mistake and apologise".
Shortly after Zainab's autopsy confirmed that she had been strangled to death, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the incident that had sent shock waves throughout the nation.
The Punjab government, in a press conference on Tuesday, had announced catching the alleged rapist and murderer. The suspect, based in Kasur, is accused of being a serial rapist and killer who has been linked to the assault and murder of more than at least six young girls.
Zainab's father requests SC to appoint serving military officer as head of investigation
By Muhammad Shahzad
Published: January 28, 2018
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Sceengrab of CCTV footage of Zainab's alleged abduction in Kasur.
The Supreme Court (SC) Lahore Registry began the hearing of Zainab’s rape and murder case on Sunday after the top court’s judge took suo motu notice of the Kasur tragedy occurred earlier this month.
The top court has given a ten-day deadline to Punjab police to complete and submit the challan. However, Zainab’s father has shown mistrust over the investigation conducted by Punjab police. Zainab’s father’s counsel Aftab Bajwa requested to appoint a serving military officer as the head of the investigation team.
The apex court has given the TV anchor until 8pm tonight to submit evidence backing his claims. The bench also ordered for a new JIT to be formed to investigate claims made by Dr Shahid Masood under the leadership of Director-General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Bashir Ahmed Memon. The JIT will be a two-member team probing Masood’s claims.
Shahid Masood backtracks from claims of Zainab’s murderer holding foreign bank accounts
CJP informed Masood that the bank accounts he talked about, do not exist. “You will appear in front of a new JIT when you failed to appear before the last one,” Justice Nisar expressed dissatisfaction over Masood’s absence during JIT’s investigation. “You can’t imagine how your allegations can change the outcome of the investigation,” he added.
Masood said that if he isn’t permitted to have his say, he will also ‘escape’ like former SSP Rao Anwar “in a local flight,” to which the CJP said that SC will give orders to place Masood’s name on ECL if he tries to escape. “If the allegations are proven right, you will awarded with the accolade of best journalist, but if the allegations are wrong, strict actions will be taken against you,” he further added.
“Investigation of the case is not your duty, but the investigation team’s task,” CJP said.
Moreover, the CJP also barred Zainab’s parents and lawyer from talking to the media, and has directed them to cooperate fully with the police.
The court has also ordered Punjab police to submit the challan of details as early as possible.
Dr Shahid Masood appeared in court for the hearing, and was asked by Justice Nisar to explain his claims and a video of his show was played during the hearing. The court has asked Masood to submit evidences behind his claims and to “stop beating around the bush.”
A special 3-member bench was formed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar for the case of 8-year-old victim. The bench addressed claims made by anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood that the key suspect, Imran Ali, had multiple bank accounts.
However, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in a press release on Friday, revealed that no bank accounts existed under Ali’s name.
Punjab Inspector-General Capt Arif Zaman Khan, Director-General of Punjab Forensics Science Agency Ashraf Tahir, head of the JIT formed for investigation Muhammad Idrees, and Zainab’s father Amin Ansari were also present in court.
The court had already issued notices to them and Dr Shahid Masood earlier as well.
The court sought other officers including media owners, senior journalists, anchors and journalists from different organisations for the hearing. Hameed Haroon, Shakil-ur-Rehman, Ibn Abdur Rehman, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shani, Kamran Khan, Hamid Mir, Fahad Hussain, Kashif Abbasi, Mian Amir Mahmood, Sarmad Ali and Zia Shahid have been summoned.
On Friday, Dr Shahid Masood backtracked from his statement alleging Zainab’s murderer owned 37 bank accounts, hinting at a child pornography scandal, saying that things are often misreported.
LHC orders ATC to hold daily proceedings
Speaking to the Express News the anchorperson said that investigation was not his responsibility and it was the job of state institutions to find the authenticity of the news.
“I did not provide this information with any wrong intent,” he said.
Masood, in his TV show claimed that the government of Punjab had brazenly lied to people and was later summoned by the Supreme Court to clarify and back his accusations.
Rana BilalUpdated January 28, 2018
340
7
Six-year-old Zainab's father arrives at SC's Lahore registry ahead of a suo motu hearing into the rape, murder of his daughter.─DawnNews
The Supreme Court on Sunday formed a new joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the claims made by television anchor Dr Shahid Masood about the suspect in Zainab Amin's rape and murder case.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar gave the order for the JIT while presiding over the three-member apex bench conducting a suo motu hearing into the Zainab case at the SC's Lahore registry.
Television anchor Shahid Masood arrives at SC's Lahore registry ahead of a suo motu hearing into the Zainab murder case.─DawnNews
The chief justice ordered Masood, who was present in court, to appear before the newly formed JIT — which will be led by director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Bashir Ahmed — and present evidence to back his claims.
The anchorperson had claimed during a late night show that Zainab's suspected rapist and murderer was a member of a pornography gang, which also includes a Punjab minister. During the previous hearing of the case, Masood had also told the court that the suspect has 37 foreign accounts.
His claims about the bank accounts, however, were rejected by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its report to the JIT that was formed earlier by the Punjab government to probe the rape and murder of Zainab.
"Do not talk about unrelated matters; give us proof of the bank accounts," the chief justice told the anchor on Sunday. "If the statements you have made turn out to be true, we will give you the medal for number one journalist."
"If your news turns out to be untrue, [then] you cannot even imagine what will happen," the chief justice warned.
During the hearing, Masood requested time from the court to allow him to complete what he wished to say regarding the case. He went on to claim that Zainab was gang raped, adding that only one criminal had been arrested.
"They are trying to protect the gang that they have nurtured," he added.
"Are you aware that these allegations can change the direction of the investigations?" the chief justice asked the anchor.
The court told the anchor that they could order his name to be put on the Exit Control List, saying that he would have to appear before the JIT formed by the court.
The chief justice clarified that the Bashir Ahmed-led JIT would operate separately from the one formed earlier by the Punjab government.
"The Mohammad Idrees-led JIT will only investigate the murder case," the chief justice said, adding that the new JIT would focus on Masood's allegations.
The court ordered that investigations into the case should be completed as soon as possible and a challan should be filed. Prosecutor General Punjab Ehtisham Qadir was asked to oversee the filing of the challan.
Zainab's father barred from addressing media
During the hearing, the court barred Muhammad Amin ─ the father of six-year-old Zainab ─ and his lawyer from holding further press conferences.
Zainab's parents had arrived at the SC shortly before the bench began the hearing.
Welling-up, Amin told the court that the suspect should be severely punished so that no such crime is committed ever again. The chief justice asked him to have a seat before turning to Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir, director general of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), and ordering the use of modern technology and devices to quickly compelete investigations.
"You are a capable person and I am depending on you quite a lot," the chief justice told Tahir. Chief Justice Nisar added that his personal number will be provided to the DG so that the latter may contact him in case of any problems with the probe.
"If there is any problem, please inform me, as well," Zainab's father said.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz Khan, head of the joint investigation team probing Zainab's murder, Additional IG Abu Bakar Khuda Bakhsh, and chief secretary of Punjab, Khizer Hayat, were also present in the court for today's hearing.
Media figures appear in court
The court, on Saturday, had summoned 12 media executives and anchors to appear for today's hearing.
Appearing before the bench, Zia Shahid of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors said that if neutral investigations are conducted, the truth behind Masood's allegations can be unveiled. He noted that several incidents of child pornography have been reported.
When asked by the chief justice about his opinion regarding the formation of a JIT by the court, Shahid said "an independent JIT should be formed".
Arif Nizami, former editor of The Nation and founder of Pakistan Today, told the court that if Masood's allegations are not true, the statements he made regarding the case would be "equivalent to the death of journalism".
Anchorperson Hamid Mir, however, stated that if Masood's allegations are proven to be incorrect, he should be allowed to seek forgiveness.
"Journalists make mistakes. He should be given the right to forgiveness," Mir said in court, later tweeting that Masood "missed his chance to admit mistake and apologise".
Shortly after Zainab's autopsy confirmed that she had been strangled to death, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the incident that had sent shock waves throughout the nation.
The Punjab government, in a press conference on Tuesday, had announced catching the alleged rapist and murderer. The suspect, based in Kasur, is accused of being a serial rapist and killer who has been linked to the assault and murder of more than at least six young girls.
Zainab's father requests SC to appoint serving military officer as head of investigation
By Muhammad Shahzad
Published: January 28, 2018
8SHARES
SHARE TWEET EMAIL
Sceengrab of CCTV footage of Zainab's alleged abduction in Kasur.
The Supreme Court (SC) Lahore Registry began the hearing of Zainab’s rape and murder case on Sunday after the top court’s judge took suo motu notice of the Kasur tragedy occurred earlier this month.
The top court has given a ten-day deadline to Punjab police to complete and submit the challan. However, Zainab’s father has shown mistrust over the investigation conducted by Punjab police. Zainab’s father’s counsel Aftab Bajwa requested to appoint a serving military officer as the head of the investigation team.
The apex court has given the TV anchor until 8pm tonight to submit evidence backing his claims. The bench also ordered for a new JIT to be formed to investigate claims made by Dr Shahid Masood under the leadership of Director-General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Bashir Ahmed Memon. The JIT will be a two-member team probing Masood’s claims.
Shahid Masood backtracks from claims of Zainab’s murderer holding foreign bank accounts
CJP informed Masood that the bank accounts he talked about, do not exist. “You will appear in front of a new JIT when you failed to appear before the last one,” Justice Nisar expressed dissatisfaction over Masood’s absence during JIT’s investigation. “You can’t imagine how your allegations can change the outcome of the investigation,” he added.
Masood said that if he isn’t permitted to have his say, he will also ‘escape’ like former SSP Rao Anwar “in a local flight,” to which the CJP said that SC will give orders to place Masood’s name on ECL if he tries to escape. “If the allegations are proven right, you will awarded with the accolade of best journalist, but if the allegations are wrong, strict actions will be taken against you,” he further added.
“Investigation of the case is not your duty, but the investigation team’s task,” CJP said.
Moreover, the CJP also barred Zainab’s parents and lawyer from talking to the media, and has directed them to cooperate fully with the police.
The court has also ordered Punjab police to submit the challan of details as early as possible.
Dr Shahid Masood appeared in court for the hearing, and was asked by Justice Nisar to explain his claims and a video of his show was played during the hearing. The court has asked Masood to submit evidences behind his claims and to “stop beating around the bush.”
A special 3-member bench was formed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar for the case of 8-year-old victim. The bench addressed claims made by anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood that the key suspect, Imran Ali, had multiple bank accounts.
However, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in a press release on Friday, revealed that no bank accounts existed under Ali’s name.
Punjab Inspector-General Capt Arif Zaman Khan, Director-General of Punjab Forensics Science Agency Ashraf Tahir, head of the JIT formed for investigation Muhammad Idrees, and Zainab’s father Amin Ansari were also present in court.
The court had already issued notices to them and Dr Shahid Masood earlier as well.
The court sought other officers including media owners, senior journalists, anchors and journalists from different organisations for the hearing. Hameed Haroon, Shakil-ur-Rehman, Ibn Abdur Rehman, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shani, Kamran Khan, Hamid Mir, Fahad Hussain, Kashif Abbasi, Mian Amir Mahmood, Sarmad Ali and Zia Shahid have been summoned.
On Friday, Dr Shahid Masood backtracked from his statement alleging Zainab’s murderer owned 37 bank accounts, hinting at a child pornography scandal, saying that things are often misreported.
LHC orders ATC to hold daily proceedings
Speaking to the Express News the anchorperson said that investigation was not his responsibility and it was the job of state institutions to find the authenticity of the news.
“I did not provide this information with any wrong intent,” he said.
Masood, in his TV show claimed that the government of Punjab had brazenly lied to people and was later summoned by the Supreme Court to clarify and back his accusations.
