SC-mandated JIT summons Azam Swati in probe against assets, alleged misconduct

ISLAMABAD: A joint investigation team constituted on the directive of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has summoned Azam Swati today in its ongoing probe against alleged misuse of authority, misconduct and encroachment by the federal minister.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of Islamabad IGP Jan Muhammad’s abrupt transfer last month. The IGP was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by the son of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, regarding a fight over purported encroachment with a family at their farmhouse.
The apex court had formed a JIT to probe allegations of misuse of authority, misconduct and encroachment against the minister. The JIT is headed by DG National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi Irfan Mangi and includes top officials from the Intelligence Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency. The team was tasked to submit its report to the court within 14 days.
According to media, the JIT has prepared a questionnaire in light of its findings so far, and has summoned Swati for questioning today.
The JIT has already questioned Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi and other government officials in the case.
The Supreme Court had suspended the transfer of Jan Muhammad but had to withdraw its order after he excused himself from performing duties as Islamabad IGP.