Musharraf treason case probe to be completed in six weeks: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday said the FIA had been directed to complete in six weeks the investigation in connection with the treason case against former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. Addressing a press conference here, Ch Nisar said Pervez Musharraf and a few other Generals would be interrogated and that Musharraf's name was on Exit Control List (ECL) and it would not be removed till the court's decision. He said a number of records have been seized in connection with Musharraf’s treason case. The Interior Minister rubbished the claims of attempts by the incumbent government for striking a deal with Musharraf as ridiculous. He told the reporters that FIA has made a considerable progress in this case and investigation has also been made from some well placed officials. He said Musharraf would be personally interrogated. However, he added that despite efforts from FIA no investigation has so far been made and that it would become possible after a bail. He directives have also been issued to accelerate investigation into four mega financial scams in government institutions. He said that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was given 42 days to complete the probe into corruption cases at Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI), Trading Corporation of Pakistan, Islamabad new airport, and Pakistan State Oil. The minister said that absconders abroad would also be brought back with Interpol's assistance and all the cases would be decided on merit irrespective of political affiliations. He said the government wanted to ensure a fair and transparent system in every public organization. 'Awareness and Protection System' would be launched in collaboration with FIA and National Accountability Bureau to check corruption in government organizations. Nisar said some irregularities had been traced out in the Passport and Immigration Department, so it was decided to cancel more than 2000 illegal diplomatic passports. Even some retired government officials were using those passports. He said the system to issue passport had been made more transparent and the applicants could get information about the status by SMS (short message service). The minister said that a normal passport would be issued within 10 days and an urgent one in four days. He said there had been reports of a few policemen having links with criminals, car lifters and even terrorists. Therefore, the chief commissioner and inspector general of police, Islamabad had been directed to immediately oust them. He said a Rapid Response Force had been established in Islamabad Police equiped with necessary gadgets and weapons. The minister said that residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi would not have to pay toll tax after January 1, 2014. He said e-tag (electronic-tag) system would be introduced for those coming from other cities to facilitate their entry. Police pickets were also being computerized for effective checking. He said that the secretary interior would hold meetings with heads of all cellular companies to implement an effective system for blocking the illegal SIMs used by terrorists and criminals, within two weeks. The minister directed Islamabad Traffic Police not to close roads during VVIP convoys' movement for more than ten minutes. He said Capital Development Authority had been directed to open facilitation centers for addressing the complaints of citizens and to maintain public parks properly. Nisar said that a computerized system was being introduced at all police stations and Revenue Offices for maintaining proper record. The minister said that law and order situation in Karachi was improving but a lot was yet to be done for restoring peace in the mega city. (Geo/APP)