SC expresses dissatisfaction over IB's secret fund reply

ISLAMABAD: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) on Monday submitted its reply to Supreme Court about the use of secret funds while the apex court expressed dissatisfaction over the report.

The three-member bench including Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ejaz Chaudhry and Justice Jawad S. Khawaja resumed hearing of a suo moto notice on the news of a journalist regarding IB secrect funds use.

The court contradicted the news item of the reporter and sought evidence regarding the information published in a section of press.

Chief Justice Ifthikar Chaudhry said that IB chief should apprised the court after getting input from Finance Ministry and Auditor General of Pakistan as who was responsible for not auditing of Bureau's account.

He said that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment Auditor General of Pakistan can audit the accounts of the IB.

Asad Kharral alleged that IB doled out Rs 3 million to a senior journalist and Rs 400 million were used to topple the 1988 and 1990 governments.

The IB official informed the court that no journalist was paid Rs 3 million.

Earlier, Attorney General of Pakistan submitted IB's reply on secret funds use.

The Chief Justice replied that there was nothing in this report to be kept in secret and there was nothing in it against the national interest.

He said that IB officers should inform the court that why every document was kept secret.

Justice Jawad S. Khawaja said that 27 ministries have Rs 3.5 billion secret funds which was the clear violation of the constitution.

He said that public money is entrusted to government. The Chief Justice asked Asad Kharral to disclose the name of the journalist who got Rs 3 million from the IB.

The Chief Justice said that proving the allegation against anyone is far more difficult than merely blaming.

He said that the court has to guard the national interest.

He asked the reporter to prove the allegations of a conspiracy to topple the Punjab government by paying Rs 270 million.

The Attorney General said that the Rs 270 million was not drawn to topple the Punjab government but the amount was spent under any other head.

The court adjourned hearing till May 15 (Wednesday).