RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) termed on Monday the non-bailable arrest warrant against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah “a joke” and deemed it illegal.
The Rawalpindi bench of the LHC was hearing a petition filed by the interior minister seeking withdrawal of the arrest warrant against him.
Last week, the bench had suspended Sanaullah’s arrest warrant issued in an inquiry related to the purchase of plots in a housing society at a “throwaway price”.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan had also stopped the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) from arresting the minister and raiding his house. The court has sought the case record from ACE by October 17.
During the proceedings today, the ACE informed the court that the FIR alleges that “Rana Sanaullah and his wife bought property, but his name is not mentioned”, adding that the reference to the PML-N leader has been made by mentioning him as a “provincial minister”.
Dismayed by the information received, the court remarked “there is nothing against Rana Sanaullah, why don’t we send you to jail?”.
“There have been thousands of provincial ministers,” the court added.
“Explain how this (alleged) corruption became bribe,” the court said, “prove this; pray tell who did Rana Sanaullah bribe? What is the crime?” “The civil judge issued illegal warrants without looking at the record,” said the judge.
“Whether the allocation of plots is correct or not is the issue of the owner,” remarked the court, “you [ACE] tell us where is the corruption?”
“Was the land bought below the District Collector (DC) rate?” questioned the court, noting that in that case a fine could be imposed but would instead be deemed a case of “Sanaullah being cheated” who, as the buyer “should have been protected” by the ACE.
“Who is the witness that said Sanaullah had taken a bribe?” inquired the court, warning that if it would not be satisfied by the ACE, then the body’s director would be “sent to jail”.
“This is a joke,” the judge remarked, “whoever the institution pleases it deems a criminal and issues an arrest warrant”.
The LHC adjourned the hearing till October 28 while ordering the anti-corruption body to appear with “full preparation” and also ordered the interior minister and DG anti-corruption to appear before the court.
“I have challenged this lousy attempt on part of the Punjab government and Imran Niazi,” Sanaullah said as he expressed hope to be avenged by the high court. –Agencies
