— Transfer request being reviewed by NAB chairman, prosecutor general
–Omni Group head requests SHC to stop FIA from ‘harassing’ him
KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday filed an appeal before a banking court in Karachi to transfer the case pertaining to money laundering of billions through fictitious bank accounts to Islamabad.
The appeal was filed in light of the Supreme Court’s judgement in the suo motu case wherein the joint investigation team’s (JIT) report and evidence collected was sent to the bureau for further investigations.
The banking court was told that the transfer request was being reviewed by NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal and the prosecutor general.
On January 7, SC, in light of the JIT report, ordered NAB to conduct a thorough inquiry into the case and wrap it up within two months.
However, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur filed a review petition on Jan 28 against the SC decision in the fake bank accounts case.
The petition had said that SC admitted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) could not furnish substantial evidence. It had said there was no rationale to move fake bank accounts case to Islamabad from Karachi.
The review appeal had further stated that the apex court’s decision commits an error in holding that the constitution of the JIT is a valid exercise of jurisdiction in aid of a lawful object.
“The facts and circumstances of the case in light of the JIT report in this court were not justified in directing the transmission of the JIT report along with all the material and evidence collected by the JIT to NAB.” It appealed the apex court to review its order.
Earlier, Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed submitted a petition in the apex court, seeking reconsideration of an earlier decision to transfer the fake accounts case to NAB in Islamabad.
All allegations are connected with Karachi and all witnesses live there as well. The order for NAB to file the reference in Islamabad is illegal,” the petition said.
On September 6, the SC had formed a JIT to probe into alleged mega money laundering of Rs42 billion channelled through fake bank accounts in three banks. Besides former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur, several prominent individuals including former Summit Bank president Hussain Lawai and Omni Group president Anwar Majeed, have been accused in the case.
Property tycoon Malik Riaz, his son-in-law Zain, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have been also included in the inquiry.
SHC ASKS AAG TO CONTACT FIA FOR ITS REPLY:
Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the assistant attorney general to contact the FIA and submit its reply to Anwar Majeed’s petition against it.
The court heard the petition filed by Anwar Majeed.
He requested the court to direct the FIA to stop harassing him and order the agency to provide him with details of the pending cases against him.
Majeed, in the petition, had said that “FIA should be asked to submit details of the ongoing inquiry in the money laundering case”.
The court asked the assistant attorney general to contact FIA and submit its reply on next hearing on Feb 8.
