ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday granted two weeks to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to submit a detailed report regarding the fake bank accounts that were used to launder over Rs 35 billion out of the country.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo motu case regarding money laundering that also involves the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) top leadership.
During the course of proceedings, Additional Attorney General Nayyar Rizvi informed the court that the JIT tasked to probe the alleged money laundering had submitted a progress report on the Omni Group’s bank accounts.
After examining the report, the CJP expressed satisfaction on the work done by the JIT, saying though the JIT’s task was not easy but at the same time, the court could not adjourn the case for an indefinite time. He inquired about the time-frame for the detailed JIT report.
Responding to the CJP’s query, JIT head Ahsan Sadiq sought time till December 15 to submit the report. The, court, however, gave the team two weeks.
Meanwhile, addressing Omni Group’s Namar Majeed, the chief justice said he had been spared from being arrested for resolution of the financial matters. If his staying out of the prison did not make any difference, then he would be sent to jail too, he added.
Subsequently, the top court directed the Omni Group to compensate the losses incurred by banks.
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The CJP also directed authorities to transfer Abdul Ghani Majeed to the Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
While summoning Abdul Ghani Majeed and heads of the banks concerned, the bench adjourned the case till November 17.
The court also directed Inspector General of Police Sindh Kaleem Imam to appear before it on next date of hearing, in a matter pertaining to alleged kidnapping of two witnesses in the case.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur, Omni Group’s Anwar Majeed, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai and Summit Bank Senior Vice-President Taha Raza are among those being investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for alleged laundering of over Rs 35 billion through fake accounts.
APP
