News Analysis |
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday, Jan 7 has ordered to remove the name of Sindh chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Chairman Pakistan Peoples’ Party Bilawal Zardari Bhutto from the Exit Control List (ECL).
A three-judge bench headed by the chief justice heard the mega money laundering and fake bank accounts case that involves bigwigs like Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Omni Group’s Anwar Majeed; Malik Riaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The banking court said it couldn’t take any action in the case under the light of Supreme Court orders which is currently hearing a similar case.
Apprising the court about suspects’ names on ECL, the attorney general said, “The federal government has forwarded the matter of placing names on ECL to review committee and progress is expected by January 10.”
As the hearing went underway, CJP Nisar asked why the name of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was included in the Joint Investigation Team’s report. “What did Bilawal do that he has been involved in the matter by JIT?” CJP asked. “Remove his name from JIT report,” ordered CJP Nisar.
Read more: Bilawal Bhutto or Bilawal Zardari?
CJP also remarked that a lot of matter had come forward against Omni Group and they could not shut eyes to that. Supreme Court ordered the National Accountability Bureau to initiate inquiry into money laundering and fake accounts case in light of report recently submitted by JIT probing the matter and to complete its investigation within two months.
JIT Report
The JIT had on Dec 24, submitted its 128-page final report to the apex court which included recommendations for filing 16 NAB references. The JIT disclosed a nexus between a troika of the Zardari Group, Omni Group, and Bahria Town.
The siblings are facing probe into money laundering case through fake accounts. Zardari’s lawyer Abu Bakar Zardari appeared instead of their counsel Farooq H. Naek.
The report revealed that at least 29 bank accounts identified as fake, opened through Omni Group had been used for money laundering of Rs. 42 billion. The accounts had been engaged with direct transactions with Zardari group, Bahria Town, Sindh Government departments; however, the ultimate beneficiary of money laundering was Zardari family.
Read more: Fake accounts case: JIT questions Bilawal Bhutto
Bails of Zardari and Talpur Extended
A banking court in Karachi extended the interim bail of Asif Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur until Jan 23 in the fake accounts case. The siblings are facing probe into money laundering case through fake accounts.
Zardari’s lawyer Abu Bakar Zardari appeared instead of their counsel Farooq H. Naek. The banking court said it couldn’t take any action in the case under the light of Supreme Court orders which is currently hearing a similar case.
The medical report of Anwar Majeed was furnished by the jail officials before the court. A large number of Pakistan People’s Party leaders and supporters were present outside the court. The hearing was adjourned until January 23.