The federal government has decided to remove the names of Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah from the Exit Control List (ECL) on the directives of the Supreme Court.
This was announced by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry at a news conference along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar in which he also reiterated the demand of Murad Ali Shah's resignation as the chief minister after he was named in the joint investigation team (JIT) report in the fake banks accounts case.
Chaudhary said the government will continue its drive against 'corrupt mafia' as per its manifesto to purge the country of the menace of corruption and money laundering.
He said that the government is not interfering in the professional work of all the investigating agencies but has only given them a free hand to perform their obligations in an independent atmosphere.
He said that the PTI before coming into power had made a promise with the nation that it would put all the "thieves" behind the bars. "We have achieved a 90 percent success so far and we hope we will also be succeeded on the remaining 10 percent," he said, adding that it was only made possible through giving a free hand to the investigation agencies.
Referring to the apex court's orders in fake bank accounts case, the minister said that the government will abide by the court's orders and it is going to remove the names of Bilawal Bhutto and Murad Ali Shah from the ECL.
However, he said that the names were added to the ECL on the basis of "character and not designation," adding that "the chief minister Sindh has a 'notorious' side-role in film thugs of Pakistan."
He clarified that the apex court has only directed the government to remove the chief minister's name from the ECL, but it has never stopped the investigation agencies from probing him in the case. "There is no immunity to the chief minister and he is required to cooperate in the investigation," he added.
He said the apex court has referred the fake bank accounts case to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for afresh investigation into the matter within two months, adding that the government and all its institutions will extend all possible support to the NAB to take the matter to its logical end and help bring the plundered money back to the national exchequer.
He insisted that neither Omni Group nor the top PPP leadership gave responses to the specific allegations levelled against them by the JIT in its report. He also claimed that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari is the "real owner" of the Omni Group.
Referring to the hue and cry by opposition parties against the JIT report in the fake bank accounts case, he said that the case started in 2015-16 before the PTI came to power, adding, "the then Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stopped the investigation because there was a nexus established between Zardari and Nawaz to protect each other's corruption."
About the efforts by JUI-F chief Mualana Fazlur Rehman for a possible opposition alliance, Chaudhry advised him to name the alliance as 'alliance for restoration of corruption.'
Asked if Zardari could be sent behind the bars in the fake bank accounts case, he said: "Keep praying, as the people of Pakistan are also praying and we are hopeful for that [to happen]."
To another question, the minister said the government during its first five months has been able to overcome the issues like current account deficit and balance of payment with the generous help of friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia.
He said the government is focusing on boosting exports and curtailing imports, besides attracting foreign investment with provision of ease of doing business.
He expressed the confidence that the results of government's prudent economic policies would be visible during this year.
The minister also clarified about the visit of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan to the country, saying that the trip was in two phases - first phase was his private two-day visit to Rahimyar Khan and the second was official one to Islamabad.
He said that $ 3 billion economic package was already announced, adding that both Pakistan and the UAE have strategic relations.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shahzad Akbar said the apex court has not rejected the JIT report in the fake bank accounts case, adding that all those who were issued notices in the case including Asif Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Omni Group owners and Bahria Town's Malik Riaz have failed to submit any substantial replies against the allegations of corruption and money laundering to the court in the light of JIT report.
He said the Supreme Court has not exempted Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Murad Ali Shah from the NAB investigation into the case.
He said that the JIT report comprises 130 pages and 1,000 annexure, adding that any accused who fails to satisfy the investigators will face references. He said all the accused will have to prove their innocence in matters relating to Summit Bank, Sindh Bank, Pakistan Steel Mills and land grabbing.
"Asif Ali Zardari and the Omni Group owners will also have to reply as to what the relation was between them," he said, adding that Zardari will also be made answerable to explain the source of income about purchase of his properties in London and New York.
He said that the court has also ordered to remove the name of Farooq H Naek from the ECL, adding that the government will remove his name but he is required to submit a reply as to how money was transferred to his son's account. He said that the payment of the goats, which were slaughtered as charity, was also made from the fake accounts and it also needs a thorough investigation.
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