ISLAMABAD – The government has finalized a broad based mutual legalassistance law to obtain evidence from foreign jurisdictions aboutfinancial crimes and mega corruption cases involving Pakistanis.
This was stated by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister onAccountability Shahzad Akbar while addressing a news conference inIslamabad on Sunday.
He said the law will soon be placed before the cabinet and it will bebrought first through an ordinance and then presented before the parliament.
He said this law is more open and will empower the National AccountabilityBureau and the FIA to carry out the investigations as per the internationaltreaties.
Shahzad Akbar said that a bilateral treaty is again being ratified with theSwiss authorities which will enable the country to get the details of thebank accounts opened by Pakistani nationals.
The special assistant said that Pakistan has already signed a treaty withBritain which will help speed up the investigations into different highprofile asset cases.
He said he is also visiting Britain next week where he will meet with hisconterpart of national crime agency and also hold discussions on thepending requests for extradition including that of former Finance MinisterIshaq Dar.
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He said we are also exploring the option of initiating civil proceedings inBritain as it will ensure early repatriation of the plundered amount.
Shahzad Akbar said that over the last decade or so no effort was made forthe asset recovery despite the fact that countries such as China and Indiaachieved great success in the asset recovery.
Shahzad Akbar said that agreements will also be signed with China and theUAE for the exchange of information and join investigation to check themoney laundering The special assistant said the system has now beenstreamlined. He said a special asset recovery unit has been established inthe PM office which is working under his supervision.
He said that nine to ten billion dollars of money laundering was annuallytaking place from Pakistan. He said as the relevant institutions such asthe FIA have been activated and being fully supported, therefore, cases ofcorruption and those of fake accounts are being unearthed.
Shahzad Akbar said that the previous governments are responsible forcurrent economic situation of the country. He said besides huge debtburden, the losses of public sector enterprises stood over one trillionrupees.
