ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Tuesday dismissed an application filed by National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Saeed Ahmed requesting the court to ‘reject’ a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to his extent and frame charges only when there are grounds to proceed with the trial.
The decision was made as the court heard NAB’s supplementary reference against former finance minister Ishaq Dar, Saeed and two other accused. After the court adjourned hearing till March 27, defense counsel for Ahmed said he would challenge the decision before a high court.
Ahmed had filed the application under Section 265-D (when charge is to be framed) of the Criminal Procedure Code, praying to the court to reject the supplementary reference to his extent in view. In addition, he prayed before the court that NAB working with the slogan “say no to corruption”, be subjected to pay compensation for his false involvement in the case.
During the course of investigation, it was revealed that Ahmed was one of the Directors of Hajveri Modaraba Management Company and 7,000 shares in Hajveri Holding (Pvt) Ltd were also transferred in his favour from the wife of the principal accused – Dar.
The reference stated that seven bank accounts were opened in Ahmed’s name which, as per investigation conducted so far, were used for the benefit of Dar and his companies.
NAB has alleged that Ahmed had intentionally allowed Dar to open/operate/use bank accounts in his name to protect his illegal money and penal liability by providing a cover to his criminal act whereby he aided, assisted and abetted the principal accused in commission of offences.
The NAB prosecutor argued that millions of rupees were transacted into the foreign currency accounts, which were operated from 1997 to 2006. He expressed surprise that the NBP president was not aware of these accounts having been opened in his name.
On Tuesday, the court ordered formal indictment of the suspects on March 27.
On Feb 26, the anti-graft watchdog filed a supplementary reference against Ishaq Dar in the assets case with regard to alleged accumulation of assets beyond his known sources of income.
Three suspects, including NBP President Saeed Ahmed, Mansoor Raza and Naeem Mehmood were nominated in the reference.
