Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The matter regarding the transfer of property abroad of Dr former Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain to his son is facing legal complications.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs leveled objection on the plea of former Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain to transfer property on the name of his son and the matter was sent to Ministry of Law for advice in this regard.

Dr Asim after getting a clearance from Accountability Court signed the transfer papers in Embassy of United Arab Emirates (UAE). These papers regarding the transfer of Business, Property, Bank Accounts, Bonds and shares were signed to transfer each and everything to Ammad Hussain, son of detained minister who has obtained Canadian nationality. The papers were sent to Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attestation and the Ministry leveled objection on it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent the matter to Ministry of Law asking how a person, who is in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody in alleged corruption of billions rupees and who is judicial remand, will be allowed to transfer his property worth billion of rupees.

Foreign Office asked the Ministry of Law to give its suggestion as the former Minister, an accused, will be allowed to transfer the property. Will an accused be allowed to transfer his property to his son living abroad, prior to the verdict from Accountability Court?

When contacted a high official of Ministry of Law told Daily Times that this is a very sensitive matter of very high importance and the Ministry will look into it as per law and after minute study the Ministry will give its recommendations. “The Ministry will also take into consideration that permission of the Accountability Court that allows Dr Asim to sign transfer papers. This must be in line of law”, he maintained.

The Ministry will give its view on this important matter in few days, the official hoped.

Meanwhile, the sources in NAB told Daily Times that NAB has sent a two member team to unearth the property of Dr Asim Hussain in Dubai. The team will review the property, business, bank accounts and bonds of Dr Asim Hussain as how and when the money was transferred to Dubai to establish a business empire.