ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior on Tuesday said the Cabinet had set up a sub
committee to uncover the mystery of out of court settlement made in over Rs 50
billion in a money laundering case by the previous government as there was no clues
who had signed this agreement.
Briefing the media persons after the Cabinet meeting along with Minister for
Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Petroleum
Musadiq Malik, Minister for Communication Asad Mahmood and Advisor to PM on
Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, he said the committee would thoroughly
investigate the matter and what ever finding, case would be followed accordingly.
He said that the then so called ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ Prime Minister Imran Khan took
approval of an agreement on December 3, 2019 without allowing the members to read
it although some of them sought clarification.
The issue was also widely reported and highlighted in the media, he added.
He said National Crime Agency of United Kingdom confiscated over Rs 50 billion of
Bahria Town which had been transferred against the law. Under the UK law, it was
the property of State of Pakistan, he added.
However, the minister said former SAPM Mirza Shahzad Akbar acted a role of ‘broker’
for the former premier. Imran Khan’s corruption czar Mirza Shahzad Akbar settled Rs
50 billion and got a Rs 5 billion commission which was tantamount to looting the
public money, he said.
Sana Ullah said that the former government led by so called ‘Mr Clean’ settled the said
huge amount as liability against Bahria Town. The former government provided a big
relief to the Bahria Town by taking its due share, he added.
He said the Bahria Town donated and transferred 458 Kanals of precious land to Al-
Qadir Trust after the agreement.
Ironically, the signatories of the agreement were former first lady Bushra Babi and the
donor (Bahria Town), he added.
He said there were only two trustees of Al-Qadir Trust namely Bushra Babi and Imran
Khan.
Similarly, the minister said that 240 kanals of land was transferred in the name of
Farah Shahzadi wife of Ahsan Iqbal Jameel in Banigala. Farah Shahzadi did not
escape because of taking diamond rings rather she ran away to escape questioning on
illegal transfer of 240 kanals land in Banigala.
Sana Ullah said that there was no university at the site rather Bahria Town organized
all functions held there during visits of Imran Khan.
He said Imran Khan received his due share in all such matters and it was a direct
plundering of public money.
Meanwhile speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Dr.
Musadik Malik said the plundered money that was caught in United Kingdom should
have been returned to national exchequer, however it was gifted to one who actually
was fined.
He elaborated, the money was caught under Economic Crimes Act and according to
this act it should be returned to the country it belongs to. He said out of court
settlement was done at a time when this case was being heard.
However, who represented Pakistan in the settlement was still a mystery, he said
adding that the country could only be represented by Attorney general of Pakistan or
Ministry of Law. No one else can sign any agreement, contract or do any other
signature at international level, he maintained.
He said, there was no document in the office of Attorney General or Ministry of Law
that indicated somebody was given authority to go to England for the settlement.
He said, out of court settlement was done and the money that was to be given to
government of Pakistan, was deposited in the account of Supreme Court registrar.
He said, for saving the out of court settlement cabinet approval was sought in the
matter and resultantly cabinet was forced to approve something which was hidden in a
letter without allowing the members even to read it.
He said, the letter was given by Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Shahzad Akbar to
Imran Khan for cabinet approval he said and added that according to law no SAM
could bring summary to the cabinet.
He said, who gave clearance to it, there was nothing available anywhere in ministry of
Interior, Finance, Foreign Affairs or Attorney General Office.
Minister for Communication Asad Mahmood said that Imran Khan used religion and
slogan of corruption as a tool for coming into power besides personal gains.
The former government committed record corruption during its three and half years
tenure, he added.
He said Imran Khan came into to power through some agenda and time has proved our
party claim.
He said the government gave a balanced budget in current circumstance in mere two
months time.
To a question, the interior minister said fake and political motivated cases were
registered against our leadership by the past government. Not a single case of
corruption could not proved, he added.
August 18, 2022
August 18, 2022
