Political Victimisation

Ex President and Co-Chairman of  PPP Mr. Asif Ali Zardari has termed the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants  for former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and former federal minister of commerce Makhdoom Amin Faheem as political victimisation.  Gilani and Faheem along with several former and serving officials of Trade Development  Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and a few private persons have been booked for their alleged  involvement in approving and disbursing fraudulent trade subsidies amounting to Rs 7 billion to several fake companies through fictitious claims and backdated cheques. Muhammad Firdous, the key accused, has turned approver against the former prime minister and the federal minister. 

Approving fake claims knowing them to be so and then making payments to the fake companies for such false claims is the worst kind of dishonesty and fraudulent cheating not at all expected of the honourable ministers. And if they have indulged in such  a felonious crime they deserve no mercy. Mr. Ex President, let the law take its course and I am sure that with the independent judiciary that we have no harm shall come to them if they are innocent.  But if they are guilty of the felony then no amount of punishment to them could ever be termed as political victimisation of the two. Let’s not protect the criminals.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)