In corruption cases, action against political bigwigs likely to boost after Eid holidays
Investigations against former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi have also entered final stages.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on June 10 will give its judgment whether to extend bail of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his sibling Faryal Talpur or allow the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to arrest them in an ongoing investigation into the fake accounts case.
Besides, the NAB has already asked PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to submit his response in the Park Lane Estates Company and Opal-225 – a joint venture of Zardari Group Ltd – cases till June 10.
On May 29, Mr Bilawal appeared before a Combined Investigation Team (CIT) of the NAB Rawalpindi for interrogation in the same cases, and subsequently he was handed over a questionnaire containing 32 questions. He was directed to submit his written response to the bureau within 14 days.
Furthermore, on June 11, the IHC is scheduled to hear former premier Nawaz Sharif’s bail application on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia reference.
Investigations against former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi have also entered final stages.
Moreover, a CIT of the NAB – investigating into multi-billion-rupee money laundering and fake bank accounts case against top leaders of the PPP – has already collected solid evidence against Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah and former CM Qaim Ali Shah in connection with an inquiry related to Thatha Sugar Mills and Dadu Sugar Mills.
According to sources, the chairman of the accountability watchdog has given the go-ahead to turn the inquiry into investigation, which in turn has raised chances of their arrest.
The bureau has accused both of them of selling the Thatha Sugar Mills and Dadu Sugar Mills at minimal value to the Omni Group, and in this regard using their influence and abuse of power in the departments of the provincial government.
Both, Mr Murad and Mr Qaim have already recorded their statements in the inquiry.
Earlier, all officials of the Omni Group were also investigated by the NAB.
They had been summoned with regard to investigations pertaining to the Thatta and Dadu sugar mills in the light of a report of the JIT formed by the Supreme Court last year to investigate multi-billion-rupee money laundering and fake bank accounts case.
After Eid holidays, the NAB is expected to file a reference against Defence Minister Pervez Khattak in Malam Jabba case.
