ISLAMABAD: The Government of British Virgin Islands (BVI) has rejected Pakistan’s request for mutual legal assistance concerning criminal investigations into the case of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his children and their offshore companies — Nielsen and Nescoll.
A report in the local media said on Friday that Attorney General of the BVI has formally conveyed that the request made by the Pakistani authorities for mutual legal assistance is flawed and does neither talk of the offence, including corruption, nor provides basic information about what needs to be probed.
“The summary of the facts does not provide any background information which shows the nexus between the individuals and companies mentioned and the alleged offence,” the BVI letter said, adding, “The Request must prima facie show how the offence of corruption or corrupt practices may have been committed by the named individuals and companies.”
The BVI letter added, “Further, the request does not provide the relevant bank information; such as the bank institution and account number of the persons/companies, which is to be investigated and information sought.”
The BVI was contacted by JIT/NAB through the Pakistani High Commission in London for mutual legal assistance concerning criminal investigations into the offence of “corruption and corruption practices” besides seeking tax records, bank account information and company records in respect to Mian Nawaz Sharif, his family and the companies, namely Nielsen Enterprises Limited and Nescoll Limited.
The BVI after going through the request forwarded from Pakistan, find it “not in conformity with the laws of the Virgin Islands”. The BVI attorney general’s chamber thus wrote to the Pakistani authorities, “We are unable to render any assistance in the execution of your request.”
