Daily Times

KARACHI: As the anti-corruption is probing the alleged massive corruption in tractor subsidy schemes, Shahzad Riaz, CEO of M/s Shahzad Trade Link, has accused OMNI Group’s Anwar Majeed, a close friend of former president Asif Ali Zardari, of using coercive means to rob him of his valuable business of import and sale of tractors.

Shahzad Riaz in a letter written to the Rangers director general, has asked him to take action against illegal harassment at the behest of Anwar Majeed. Riaz, who is doing business of import & sales of Russian Belarus tractors in Pakistan since last more than 12 years, submitted in the letter that Khawaja Anwer Majeed and Khawaja Suleman Younus of OMNI Group have been trying to rob him of his tractor business for the last two years. On June 12, 2015 police officials had kidnapped his son Zain Shahzad and employee Muhammad Ahsan at their behest in order to coercing me into giving up my business, he alleged while adding however, they were released following the intervention of DG Rangers in June 2015. Besides, the OMNI Group’S M/s Mtw Pak Assembling Industries Pvt Ltd had instituted litigation in the high court which was pending disposal.

“Since then we have been receiving threats from OMNI Groups’ owners to hand over the business and stock of Belarus Tractors costing over Rs 900million to them,” he added. “As a part of their coercive measures to pressurize us into giving up our business a fabricated complaint was also sent to the Anti-Corruption to book us in false cases,” he said. “In that connection, the anti-corruption officers raided my residence and misbehaved with my family members and extended threats of dire consequences, if I did not accept their demands”, he alleged. He, therefore, pleaded the Rangers director to protect him and his children from their illegal harassment, enabling me to carry out my business in peaceful manner. He further requested the DG to take necessary legal action against them in that regard.