Pak SC warns ex generals of ominous consequences in 1990 election funding cases

Islamabad, Mar 15(ANI): The Pakistan Supreme Court has warned former generals that their confession on funding the country's politicians to rig the 1990 elections can have serious consequences.

"Bear in mind that you were sitting generals at that time and were holding esteemed designations. Your confessions can have serious repercussions. Almost all the matters are now settled and we will soon decide the case," the Express Tribune quoted the warning, as saying.

A three-member bench of the court was hearing Asghar Khan's petition alleging that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) rigged the 1990 general elections by distributing millions of rupees among several politicians.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, said it could make the report and in-camera briefings on the matter public, adding that it seemed the intelligence agencies were not working within their mandate.

The court also sought Pakistan Attorney-General Maulvi Anwar ul Haq's assistance in the case, particularly regarding the role of intelligence agencies in political affairs of the country.

Former ISI chief General Assad Durrani said that he was individually responsible for his crime and added that the ISI was not involved in the issue.

"Despite the fact that you have conceded your role in the disbursement of national money during the 1990 election and there remains no ambiguity in this regard, in terms of constitutional provision, we are asking you (to engage lawyers)... so you do not complain that court did not give you chance...," Justice Chaudhary said in response.

Former Mehran Bank chief and central character in the scandal Younis Habib has submitted another affidavit in response to former army chief General (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg and Assad Durrani's affidavits. (ANI)