Fake bank accounts case: Judicial remand of Qaimkhani extended till November 14

The Accountability Court hearing the multibillion rupees fake bank accounts case, involving former president Asif Ali Zardari, on Monday extended the judicial remand of Liaquat Qaimkhani, former Director General (Parks), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), till November 14. The NAB officials produced Qaimkhani before Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir on expiry of his judicial remand. Qaimkhani is facing charges regarding illegal allotment of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim land to real estate giant Bahria Town for its Icon Tower in Karachi.

During the previous hearing, the NAB prosecutor said that the accused was the custodian of the Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim land at the time when it was illegally allotted. "If he (Qaimkhani) had been retired in 2011 then why he kept original record with him," the prosecutor said, adding that the accused had intentionally hidden maps and record of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim land. The court after hearing the arguments extended judicial remand of the suspect till November 14.

The officials of NAB also produced another suspect in fake accounts case namely Dr Dinshaw Anklesaria before Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir on expiry of his remand term from Adiala Jail. The court extended judicial remand of Anklesaria till November 14 and ordered to produce him before it on November 14. Anklesaria is facing charges of obtaining a loan on forged documents. He is also said to be involved in benefiting Park Lane Company through fake bank accounts.

According to the joint investigation team (JIT), Park Lane Estate Company, a Karachi-based firm was incorporated on October 18, 1979. In 1989, Zardari acquired the company along with his 'front man' Iqbal Memon. In 2009, Zardari, chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Iqbal Memon and others became shareholders of the company. The same court also extended the judicial remand of Bilal Sheikh, former president of the Sindh Bank, who is currently working as Director Sindh Bank till November 15.

The NAB official produced him before Accountability Court judge Muhammad Bashir on expiry of his judicial remand. The NAB on July 10 arrested Altaf, Tariq Ahsan, president Sindh Bank, and Bilal Sheikh, ex-president of Sindh Bank who is currently working as director Sindh Bank. According to NAB, Ahsan had allegedly planned a fraud in 2016. The accused in connivance with Bilal and Altaf had allegedly facilitated a loan worth Rs 840 million to unnamed companies of the Omni Group. Later this amount was given to a bank for investment. Bilal Sheikh had also allegedly facilitated a financial fraud in 2014 with the help of other bank officers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019