- Rs6 billion transferred through 15 fake accounts, says DG FIA
ISLAMABAD, August 13: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, while conducting hearing of suo motu notice case against the money laundering done through fake bank accounts, has suggested a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) like the one formed for Panama Papers should be constituted to probe the case of the alleged fake bank accounts.
Three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday conducted hearing of the suo motu notice case against the money laundering done through fake bank account.
During Monday’s hearing, the head of Omni Group, Anwar Najeed failed to appear in the court. The counsel for Omni Group, Shahid Hamid requested the apex court to grant three more days to respond to the orders.
However, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar rejected the request, saying the owners of Omni Group should appear in the court, and that they will recommence the hearing at 8pm if need be.
The chief justice remarked that a contempt of court notice should be issued to the owners as they failed to appear in court despite orders.
The chief justice also asked the reason for the absence of Omni Group owners, saying Federal Investigation Agency sealed their bank accounts and confiscated their property, therefore, court should do the same.
Earlier, while hearing a suo motu case on fictitious transaction, the chief justice warned no one would be spared if they were found guilty of money laundering. The case pertained to transactions worth billions conducted through several mainstream banks via ‘benami’ accounts.
Former president Asif Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur are among the accused in the case.
Talpur’s counsel Farooq H Naik told the court that a lot of people are being defamed by being named in the probe by the FIA, and asked the bench to stop the publicity surrounding the case
Supreme Court was informed by DG FIA Bashir Memon that at least Rs6 billion was transferred through 15 fake accounts as the hearing of the corruption case involving Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur on Monday.
Memon said that billions made through bribery were also transferred through the same method and Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked the senior FIA official to not pass such statements. “Don’t label them as corrupt people,” said Justice Bandial.
On the other hand, Shahid Hamid and Ayesha Hamid, counsel for Anwar Majeed, Abdul Ghani and Zulqarbain, also strongly reacted to DG FIA’s statement.
“This is a media trial and his statement will be tomorrow’s headline. Such things are prejudicing the case,” Ayesha Hamid said.
Likewise, Shahid Hamid also protested Memon’s statement and said the official should provide evidence of corruption before passing such statements.
However, the three member bench leading the hearing stated that it all depends on their explanation about the transfer of money through the alleged fake accounts. “Onus of proof is on you,” the CJP remarked. -Sabah
