Fake bank accounts case: NAB to file another reference against Anwar Majeed, others

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to file another corruption reference with respect to the multibillion rupees fake bank accounts case against former president Asif Ali Zardari's close friend and Chairman Omni Group Khawaja Anwar Majeed and others.

A NAB official said that the NAB's executive board meeting (EBM) which was presided over by Bureau's Chairman former Justice Javed Iqbal approved filing of a corruption reference against Majeed and others in the Accountability Court. All allegations of alleged money laundering and corruption against the accused persons cost Rs 340 million to national exchequer, he added.

The NAB has so far filed six references in the Accountability Court against Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur, Abdul Ghani Majeed, Younus Kidwai, Hussain Lawai and others which are under-trial as per law.

According to the NAB, the Supreme Court referred the fake bank accounts case to the NAB for further investigation in January 2019. So far NAB Rawalpindi has arrested over 39 accused persons. As many as 41 accused persons have been placed on Exit Control List (ECL) as well as 21 inquiries and 12 investigations are under process as per law.

He said that the EBM also approved two other corruption references. The meeting approved filing of corruption reference against Syed Arif Khan, director and shareholder of M/s Canal View Housing Society and others. The accused had allegedly deceived public at large costing Rs 266 million to the national exchequer, the official said.

The official said that Bureau also decided to file a corruption reference against Sadat Anwer, former chairman Balochistan Development Authority (BDA), for accumulating assets beyond means.

The NAB's EBM also approved launching of investigation against Nisar Ahmed Afzal, Sagher Ahmed Afzal and others. The Bureau also gave go-ahead of initiating three inquiries against officers and employees of Excise and Taxation Directorate, owners and management of Unicorn Prestige Hotel Lahore, officers and employees of Sindh Building Control Authority/ Metropolitan Cooperation Karachi.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019