Daily Times

An accountability court, on Monday, granted the National Accountability Board (NAB) an extension in the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Abdul Aleem Khan, till March 5.

Khan is being investigated in a case of alleged possession of assets beyond known sources of income.

During a hearing held on February 15, the prosecution had briefed the court on how the PTI stalwart had catapulted his income in the last two decades; fast becoming a millionaire from an ordinary man in 2000. His assets were said to be worth Rs 871 million, while the leader had founded as many as 35 companies during after his tenure as a member of Punjab’s cabinet from 2003 to 2007. NAB’s representative had also talked of his many bank accounts that had surfaced during the investigation. In today’s hearing, the bureau asked for an extension in his remand, because the former minister had failed to submit details of his properties, in addition to presenting its investigative report.

Khan’s lawyer responded by saying that his client had provided all necessary documents to the accountability watchdog.

After hearing arguments from both sides, AC Judge, Najamul Hassan Bukhari decided to grant NAB another extension.

It may be pertinent to mention that the PTI leader was arrested on allegations of assets beyond known sources of income and offshore companies when he failed to satisfy NAB officials with his answers during the inquiry held on February 6. Soon afterwards, he had resigned from the post of Punjab local government minister.

Published in Daily Times, February 26^th 2019.