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Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC reserves verdict in missing wheat case
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has reserved its verdict on a bail petition filed by an accused in the high-profile case involving the disappearance of wheat from the Azakhel storage facility. The hearing was presided over by Justice Syed Arshad Ali, who grilled the Anti-Corruption Department's representative over the progress of the investigation. "What progress have you made so far? the judge asked. "Have you even read your own audit report? Where is the auditor? What is this performance? The audit correspondence looks fine on paper, but there's a shortage of wheat on the ground. This is the state of your department, you're relying entirely on others." The hearing saw the appearance of the petitioner's lawyer Advocate Farooq Malik, Additional Director Food Imran Jadoon, and Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai, among others. Arguing for bail, the defense counsel maintained that the petitioner was not solely responsible, asserting that others were also involved. He stressed that there were no criminal charges or concrete evidence against his client, whose role was limited to maintaining records. "As long as he was in charge, no discrepancy occurred, and relevant documentation supports this. He is even willing to have the wheat weighed at his own expense," the lawyer argued. In response, Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai informed the court that similar bail petitions filed by other accused had already been rejected by the Chief Justice. He stated that over 3,300 sacks of wheat were missing from the storage facility, causing a loss of more than Rs190 million to the national treasury. Justice Arshad Ali sharply criticized the performance of the Anti-Corruption Department during the hearing. When the department's representative claimed that an audit had been conducted, the judge responded, "Then check your report. Where is the auditor? What are you people doing? The wheat is missing on the ground, and your department still depends on others to get the job done." Additional Director Food Imran Jadoon told the court that while the paperwork appeared to be in order, the physical stock was short. "We've written to the Chief Secretary, requesting a high-level inquiry," he added. The Additional Advocate General reiterated that the case involved significant financial loss to the national exchequer. He also noted that two other suspects in the case had already had their bail pleas rejected, and later withdrew their petitions filed before the Supreme Court. The case is currently under trial in the lower court.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC adjourns hearing on Aquaf land dispute
The Peshawar High Court has adjourned the hearing on a contempt of court petition filed against the non-recovery of 36,000 kanals of land owned by the Auqaf Department in Kalu Shah area of Mardan despite prior court orders. The court also sought a report on whether the land would be re-leased or returned to its original owner. A two-member bench comprising acting Chief Justice of PHC SM Attiq Shah and Sahibzada Asadullah heard the contempt of court petition filed by the chief administrator Auqaf. Administrator Auqaf Yousaf Ali Momand, Assistant Commissioner Takht Bhai Junaid Khalid, Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai appeared in court on behalf of Auqaf while Aminur Rehman Yousafzai Advocate and Nasir Mahmood Advocate represented the lease holders of the lands. Administrator Auqaf Yousaf Ali Mohmand told the court that action was taken a day earlier to ensure the implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the ownership of the land. Police and other agencies went to recover the land from the occupants. However, the illegal occupants opened fire, injuring a patwari. As the situation became tense, the concerned administration stopped the operation after consulting higher authorities, while a case was registered against 27 people for firing on police under Anti-Terrorism Act. Conversely, the lawyers of the leaseholders argued that despite clear PHC orders, the police and administration attempted to seized the land, which they claimed constituted contempt of court. In response, Administrator Auqaf and Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai clarified that no action was taken against leaseholders or individuals with a PHC stay order, the operation specifically targeted illegal land grabbers. On this occasion, the lawyer of the leaseholders told the court that the PHC has issued a stay order on the same land and now several people have come to become parties in this case. The court directed that the report in light of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan should be submitted to the court by April 10. It directed that action should be taken against the accused named in the FIR as per the law. The court adjourned further hearing.
