Apart from the cases of amassing wealth through corruption, there is a possibility that Sharifs would be quizzed for their connection with Indian industrialists and businessmen. Husain Nawaz and Hill Metal Establishment have had relationship with various Indian individuals and companies. Al-Azizia Steel was setup in 2001with the help of Indian national R.U. Sethi, whereas Hill Metals has been in business with Major Indian companies transacting millions of Dollars. Copies of few documents released by the JIT especially from flag A to Flag I show import of machinery and equipment from India worth 35 million Saudi rials for Hill Metals. Extract from Management Report regarding import of Electrotherm/Danieliand Inductotherm were of Indian origin. Hill Metals Establishment Receipt and Payment Accounts – 1 July 2009 to 17 Aug 2010 involved multiple payments to Indian companies.
Copy of the letter to Al-Rajhi bank for transferring US $ 825,000 amount to Inductotherm (private) Limited, India and copy of invoice from Ahli Steel Company to Al-Azizia Company dated 23rd August 2001 regarding sale of rolling mill signed by R. U. Sethi, an Indian national were released by the JIT. The JIT report stated: “The role of off-shore companies is critically important as several offshore companies have been identified to be linked with their businesses in UK while conducting this investigation. These companies were mainly used for inflow of funds into UK-based companies, which not only acquired expensive properties in UK from such funds but also revolve these funds amongst their companies of UK, KSA, UAE and Pakistan.” During 2010 to 2015 Husain Nawaz’s Hill Metals company had sent 4,042,603 dollars to Nawaz Shairf during this tenure.
He also received 8,913,301 dollars in terms of gifts from Hill Metals. Husain Nawaz also made remittances of around Rs. 69.228 million to his sister from HME in 2008 and 2009. JIT report stated that Husain Nawaz did not present any documents regarding Al-Azizia Steel Mill. The JIT also revealed that furnaces, heavy duty overhead cranes and other equipment were imported from India. In ARY’s TV talk show “Power Play” Arshad Sharif made startling disclosures based on investigating reports and JIT report stating that Husain Nawaz had developed business relations with various Indian business tycoons and companies. Recently, Indian Express in its report stated: “Sajjan Jindal has business ties with Sharif’s family, as his company had business dealings with the Ittefaq Group of Industries, a Pakistani integrated steel producer with major operations in Punjab.
Sources claimed that frequent visits of Sajjan Jindal to Islamabad were aimed to obtain the transit facility from Pakistan government to transport iron ore by road from Hajigak iron ore deposits in the Bamian, Afghanistan, to Karachi. From the Pakistani port, the ore was to be shipped to western and southern parts of India. As per 2011 agreement between India and Pakistan, Sajjan’s JSW and Naveen’s Jindal Steel and Power Limited, who are part of a consortium led by state-owned SAIL, along with Monnet Ispat and AFISCO (Afghan Iron), would construct steel mill with the capacity of 1- million-tonne a year, and develop the 1.8-billion-tonne iron-ore reserves at Hajigak, Afghanistan.
But Pakistan would neither give such concession to India nor allow transit trade from India to Afghanistan unless there is progress on the resolution of Kashmir dispute. By holding meetings with Sajjan Jindal and for not exposing Indian agency RAW, especially after the arrest of Kulbushan Yadev, Nawaz Sharif had drawn flak from cross-section of society, which raised many question.
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