An accountability court in Islamabad has adjourned the hearing of the assets beyond income case of former finance minister Ishaq Dar. The hearing was conducted by the accountability court’s judge Muhammad Bashir, where co-accused including Saeed Ahmed, Mansoor Raza, Naeem Mehmood had appeared.
The investigation officer of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Nadir Abbas, submitted the 2007’s initial probe report compiled over charges of corruption against Dar.
To this, the defence counsel argued whether the investigation officer could produce the letter regarding the completion of probe against Ishaq Dar. Abbas replied that the letter is not with him at the time of hearing.
Later, the court ordered the anti-corruption watchdog’s officer to produce the letter before the court and adjourned the hearing till October 16. Earlier on October 2, Judge Muhammad Bashir of the accountability court had heard the supplementary reference where co-accused Mansoor Raza Rizvi and Naeem Mehmood have attended the hearing. However, former president of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Saeed Ahmed failed to appear before the court and a plea was filed on behalf of him to seek his exemption from personal appearance in the case. During the hearing, the accountability court was apprised by the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) investigation officer that he is in contact with the concerned officers investigated the matter in 2007 in order to prepare initial probe report. He added that the initial probe report has not received so far. Later, the court had adjourned the hearing till October 9 due to absence of the former-NBP president Saeed Ahmed after accepting his plea for exemption from personal appearance. It may be mentioned here that the court has declared Ishaq Dar as a proclaimed offender due to his continuous absence from hearing of the case. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between British and Pakistan authorities over Ishaq Dar’s extradition to Pakistan. He is facing charges of accumulating assets beyond known sources of income.
The document was signed after Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar held talks with British Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
Maryam Nawaz:
Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz before the court in connection with Chaudhry Sugar Mill case. As per details, Maryam and her cousin Yousuf Abbas, who is also accused in the case, were brought to an accountability court of Lahore as their judicial remands expired on Wednesday. The accountability court extended the judicial remand of both the accused for another 14 days. As the hearing went underway, accountability judge Jawwad-ul-Hasan Chaudhry expressed displeasure over people taking selfies with Maryam Nawaz inside the courtroom. He ordered everyone to switch off their phones. Later, Maryam’s legal counsels sought permission to meet her in the court’s side room, to which, the accountability judge asked the lawyers to ensure the presence of no irrelevant person during the meeting. However, irrelevant persons did make their way to the room. Judge Jawwad-ul-Hasan Chaudhry was extremely furious over the incident, a private television channel reported.
The NAB officials informed the court regarding the preparation of the reference against Maryam Nawaz in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. On the occasion, a large contingent of female police officers was deployed around the judicial complex. As per Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar, the Sharif family had used Chaudhry Sugar Mills for money laundering and illegal transfer of its shares. It was revealed that a $15 million loan was taken on the pretext to set up the mill despite the fact that it had already been established before the loan was acquired, the special assistant claimed, adding that the loan was never transferred to Pakistan as shown by the record of the State Bank of Pakistan.
