JUI-F leader Asad Mahmood declared absconder

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulana Asad Mahmood has been declared a deliberate defaulter and absconder from investigation for failing to appear before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in an illegal recruitment case, ARY News reported.

The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle has tightened its investigation against Asad Mahmood over alleged illegal appointments in Pakistan Post and other cases.

According to details, the federal investigation agency declared the JUI-F leader a deliberate defaulter and absconder from investigation after he failed to appear despite being served a legal notice.

The FIA has also recommended placing Asad Mahmood’s name on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and the stop list.

The agency has further recommended converting the ongoing inquiry into a formal case and registering an FIR under relevant legal provisions.

The FIA had summoned Asad Mahmood on November 2 for questioning in connection with the investigation into alleged illegal recruitment in Pakistan Post.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings are also underway against JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Asad Mahmood and other party leaders in corruption and other cases.

Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana 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 held Fazlur Rehman in high regard but that the JUI-F chief’s reported statement about spitting on the state had left no room for further respect.

“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 treating the state as a source of benefit, alleging that the state was considered a mother only when political interests were being served.

“The state is a mother to them as long as they continue to draw benefits from it. When they do not get a share in the state or government, they say they will spit on it. This is not appropriate,” the interior minister said.