NAB gives Malik Riaz last warning

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday snubbed real estate tycoon Malik Riaz and issued to him “the last warning” to appear before the joint investigation team on Friday (today) to record his statement and evidence with the investigators otherwise an ex-parte proceedings would be initiated.
The NAB joint investigation team had summoned the real estate developer to personally appear and record his statement in Dr Arsalan graft case. The team will interview and examine Riaz on the details of his allegations leveled against Arsalan.
A source told Pakistan Today that Riaz had earlier sought exemption from appearance before the investigation team on July 16 on the pretext that he had to appear before the SC the same morning in a contempt of court case.
NAB spokesman Zafar Iqbal also confirmed the warning issued to Riaz as an official handout was also issued in this regard.
“We had entertained his request due to his engagement at the apex court and July 19 had been fixed for his appearance. However, Malik Riaz again did not appear before the JIT and his staff informed that he had to leave for Karachi to appear before Sindh High Court Karachi to seek the court orders for protective custody. The counsel for Malik Riaz also submitted an application with the JIT and sought delaying his appearance until Monday, July 23,” said the source.
The source said the joint investigation team took exception to the “non-cooperative behaviour” of Malik Riaz and issued him a “final” warning. “The JIT also decided not to entertain his plea for delaying its proceedings till Monday”.
However, the source added that it was decided that another opportunity would be given to Riaz and he was asked to appear before the team today (Friday).
“Malik Riaz has also been warned that it was final opportunity failing to which ex-parte proceedings would be initiated against him,” the source added.
The joint investigation team had already obtained relevant record from various agencies regarding Arsalan Iftikhar case. The information was collected under the provisions of National Accountability Ordinance 1999. Notices under section 19 were also issued to different banks and financial institutions for obtaining information and record on transactions and accounts respecting the beneficiaries.
It might also examine the case from a money laundering perspective. According to Section 20, suspicious financial transactions fall within the domain of NAB and make it mandatory for the banks to report such transactions. The JIT has reasons to suspect that transactions subject matter of present inquiry involve an international dimension necessitating probe of bank accounts in the UAE, the UK and offshore banking systems.
It has also finalised a procedure for recording statements of persons privy to the facts and circumstances of the case who are either not residents of Pakistan or are foreign nationals.
SHC grants month-long protective bail to Malik Riaz: KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday granted a month’s protective bail to real estate property tycoon Malik Riaz in a 1,400-kanal land corruption case. Earlier, an anti-Corruption court had issued arrest warrants for Riaz and his son, Ali in the case. A special anti-corruption court in Rawalpindi had issued warrants for the arrest of former Bahria Town owner on June 21 after his alleged involvement in the purchase of 1,401 kanal of land in Rawat using fake identities and forged documents. AGENCIES