Daily Times

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has completed report of money laundering scam worth billions of rupees and will submit it in the Supreme Court tomorrow (Monday).

According to FIA’s compiled report, more than 10 political personalities are allegedly involved in fictitious transactions worth Rs 35 billion. According to sources, four more fake accounts have been traced. The FIA has found evidence of more than Rs 9 billion of money laundering through these fake accounts.

FIA sources said that the evidence of a total of Rs 32 billion rupees of money laundering has been found. The FIA is set to submit its report in the SC tomorrow.

Two of the primary accused include former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. Both were summoned on more than one occasion but failed to appear before the investigation team.

Earlier on August 6, a two-member bench of the Apex Court headed by the chief justice of Pakistan summoned Omni Group of Companies sponsor and Asif Ali Zardari’s close aide Anwar Majeed and his family in connection with a case relating to fake bank accounts.

During the hearing of the money laundering case, Zardari’s counsel Farooq H Naik and Faryal Talpur, said FIA declared both his clients absconders in the case, despite court’s orders.

FIA director general said in his report that more than 10 political personalities are allegedly involved in fictitious transactions through fake accounts.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed the department to provide complete information about the bank accounts’ owners.

Earlier on August 4, Zardari and Talpur failed to appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of FIA in a corruption case relating to fake accounts and fictitious transactions worth Rs 35 billion.

Both were summoned to record their statement before the JIT. Notices were also issued to them by the FIA. Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai is also in FIA’s custody in the case.

Zardari, Talpur and their associates are accused of sending Rs 35 billion abroad through fake accounts after which, their names were placed on the Exit Control List.

Previously on July 30, Talpur challenged FIA’s interim challan and submitted Rs 2 million bail amount in the court.

She adopted the stance that money laundering has not been mentioned in the FIR while her role is also not clearly stated in the challan. She has denied all the accusations leveled against her.

Published in Daily Times, August 12^th 2018.