The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday claimed to have unearthed assets worth more than Rs 500billion belonging to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Khursheed Shah.
As per details, the accountability watchdog has acquired important documents, which show assets of more than Rs 500 billion belonging to the PPP leader registered in the name of his alleged frontmen.
“Shah has opened as many as 105 banks accounts under his and family members’ names in Karachi, Sukkur and other cities,” a NAB official said.
The properties were made in Sukkur, Rohri and Karachi, according to the documents, which further revealed that Glamour Bungalow, Junejo Flour Mills, Mukesh Flour Mills and 83 other properties were made in the name of Shah’s frontman, Pehlaj Rai.
Moreover, 11 properties were registered in the name of another frontman, Lado Mall, and 10 properties were made in the name of Hussain Soomro, another frontman of the PPP leader, a document said.
According to the documents available with the NAB, a person namely Umar Jan, also played a vital role for Khursheed Shah. The house and a bombproof car, being used by the PPP leader, are also registered in his name.
It may be noted that last week, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had given approval for inquiry against Khursheed Shah.
Maryam Nawaz
Meanwhile the NAB has summoned Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz Sharif today, in relation to a corruption probe involving Chaudhry Sugar Mills.
In this regard, reliable sources said a questionnaire has also been sent to the PML-N leader seeking details in the case.
The bureau has inquired about how and where the shares were divided since the inception of the mill in 1985.
The PML-N leader has also been directed to provide details of contacts with four foreigners in relation to money matters of the mill.
The shareholders included UAE’s Saeed Saif Bin Jabbar Al-Saudi, UK’s Sheikh Zaka-Uddin, a Saudi by the name of Hayi Ahmed and UAE’s Naseer Abdullah.
The anti-graft watchdog body has also sought details regarding Telegraphic Transfers (TTs) from the PML-N leader.
In the last appearance before the accountability body, Maryam failed to satisfy the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Sources revealed that Maryam tried to lead the inquiry officials astray with unneeded information and no clarity in the answers she provided, the sitting continued for 45 minutes.
Ashiana-e-Iqbal
Separately, an accountability court adjourned the hearing of Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scam till August 21.
Judge Naeem Arshad conducted the proceedings wherein the accused, including former principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad and former LDA DG Ahad Khan Cheema were produced.
The counsel for Shehbaz Sharif filed an application before the court contending that his client could not appear before the court as he was in Islamabad to attend National Assembly session in connection with Kashmir issue. The counsel implored the court to grant exemption to his client from appearing in Wednesday’s hearing.
The court was further told that statements of the witnesses could not be recorded due to lawyers’ strike in protest against Indian actions in occupied Kashmir.
At this, the court adjourned further hearing till August 21 while allowing exemption application of Shehbaz Sharif.
Shehbaz Sharif and others had been indicted in Ashiana Iqbal Housing case. The NAB had accused Shehbaz Sharif of misusing his authority which resulted in failure of the project, depriving 61,000 applicants of housing units. NAB alleged that Shehbaz Sharif, with the connivance of former LDA DG Ahad Cheema, awarded the contract to a proxy.
A Lahore High Court division bench had already granted bail to Shehbaz Sharif in Ashiana-e-Iqbal and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases.
