Former military chief expresses displeasure over Supreme Court’s decision in Asghar Khan’s case

Expressing displeasure over Supreme Court’s verdict in Asghar Khan’s case, former military chief General (Retd) Aslam Beg has said that he was heard properly in the court.

He stated, “I don’t expect justice from this judiciary; instead, I will go for investigations by the governmental institutions. And, I am ready for the penalty, if the culpability is vindicated.”

While speaking to a private TV channel, the former army chief said that he was absolutely unaware of the money distribution about which the Supreme Court delivered a verdict directing the beneficiary politicians to return sums of money received ahead the 1990 elections.

He observed, “Asghar Khan’s case is a conspiracy meant against me and the opposition and was put forward from the benches of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).”

Having avowed no knowledge of the money matters, Aslam Beg said he came to know about the details of amounts of money from Naseerullah Babar’s statement which he gave in the National Assembly.

He alleged that the court had only looked at one side of the story and its efforts to seek further evidence had been largely blocked, adding that the court did not hear him out, nor did it allow his witnesses be presented.

He also claimed that the money used in 1990 elections was not public money and that he has proof for that.
“I knew that this money had come and that it was given. The president knew about it – I went to him. I warned [ISI chief] Durrani,” he said.

When asked did he know to whom the money was given to, Gen. Beg denied. “I don’t know.” When asked whether the money was given to Nawaz Sharif, the former army chief said, “Why only Nawaz Sharif, everyone who is on the list did not take money, Gen. (retired) Naseerullah Babar has confirmed this.”

When he was asked whether he believed the then ISI chief had lied in court and that Gen. Babar was telling the truth, Gen Beg acknowledged. “I definitely believe that.”

When confronted with the facts presented by Younis Habib, the former army chief said that under the law, a person who has been sentenced and served time in jail, his testimony is not admissible in court.
The military chief stated, “The election commission is right. The case was dormant for 16 years, why was it picked up only now?”

Beg said that Gohar had revealed that an intelligence intercept of air marshal Asghar Khan’s communication days before the 1965 war had shown that the air force chief would not order his pilots to engage in the war.

Beg went onto add that the Asghar Khan had also sabotaged the PNA-government deal before instigating General Ziaul Haq to stage a coup. “

The former army chief further revealed that it was on Asghar Khan’s insistence that Bhutto was hanged.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Oct 25 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.