Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has declared Maulana Asad Mahmood, a leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), a wilful defaulter and absconder from investigation. The agency said he did not appear before it, even after receiving a legal notice, in an illegal recruitment case.
The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle has stepped up its probe into Mahmood over alleged illegal appointments at Pakistan Post and in other cases. Legal proceedings are also under way against JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mahmood and other party leaders in corruption and other matters.
FIA seeks PNIL listing, stop list and FIR against Mahmood
The agency has taken several further steps against the JUI-F leader:
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- Recommending that his name be placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL)
- Recommending that his name be added to the stop list
- Recommending that the ongoing inquiry be turned into a formal case with an FIR registered under relevant legal provisions
Summons over alleged recruitment irregularities at Pakistan Post
The FIA had summoned Mahmood on November 2 to question him about the alleged illegal recruitment at Pakistan Post. He failed to appear, leading the agency to label him an absconder.
Naqvi criticises Fazlur Rehman over remarks about the state
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly criticised Fazlur Rehman, saying the veteran politician had crossed the line with his remarks about the state and would face a strong response. Speaking in the Senate, Naqvi said he had once held the JUI-F chief in high regard, but his reported statement about spitting on the state had changed that.
“I used to respect Maulana Fazlur Rehman a lot, but after his statement about spitting on the state, there is no room left for respect for him,” Naqvi said. He accused Fazlur Rehman of viewing the state as a source of benefit, and said it was regarded as a mother only while political interests were being served.
