Judge Arshad Malik stopped from working on IHC orders: Shahzad Akbar

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that the Law Ministry has stopped Judge Arshad Malik from working on the orders of the Lahore High Court. Addressing a press conference along with Law Minister Farogh Naseem on Friday, he said that the services of Judge Arshad Malik are being returned to the Lahore High Court. “The decision to bar him from working has been made on the basis of his alleged video and press release issued by him.” Special Assistant Shahzad Akbar said that Judge Arshad Malik had stated in the affidavit that he was pressurized, but he gave free and fair verdict. “A person influencing the court may get punishment up to 10 years. The affidavit will not affect the merit of the case,” he said. He said that the sentence of a person declared a convict by court cannot be suspended. He said that no attempt would be tolerated to bring the courts under pressure. “Judge Arshad Malik, in his affidavit, stated that he gave the verdict without any pressure or fear. In the law, punishments exist for trying to bribe or threaten the judges,” he said. The special assistant said that the affidavit had pointed out a mafia in the Panama case. “Judge Arshad Malik was got appointed and offered a bribe of Rs100 million. The judge was also threatened with dire consequences by the Sharif family through their right-hand man Nasir if he did not obey their orders,” he said. Shahzad Akbar said that the politics of the Sharif family had entered a blind alley. “The result of the video scandal will be like Panama. The Sharif family could not be spared without giving the money trial.” He said that that it was high time to expose all involved elements in this video scandal. Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem said that Judge Arshad Malik said that barring the judge does not have any impact on the verdicts given by him. He said that the government stands with the law and justice. “We will not let anyone pressurize the court.”