Defence counsel cross-examines Wajid Zia in Ishaq Dar assets case

ISLAMABAD: The lawyers cross-examined head of joint investigation team (JIT) in Panama Leaks case and prosecution witness Wajid Zia in Ishaq Dar assets case on Wednesday, ARY News reported.

The witness during cross-examination by the defence lawyer said that there is evidence about transactions in foreign banks.

Wajid Zia said that the JIT had investigated about Emirates, al-Taufiq and Al-Baraka banks. On a question by defence lawyer about any evidence of transactions in these banks, the witness said that there is evidence of transactions in these banks.

The court adjourned the hearing till May 15 after the counsel of co-accused Saeed Ahmed completed his cross-examination of the witness.

Wajid Zia had recorded his statement in assets beyond sources of income reference against former finance minister Ishaq Dar in accountability court in previous hearing.

The key prosecution witness informed the court in his statement that the assets of Ishaq Dar were increased by 91 times from year 1991 to 2008.

He said, the JIT recorded statement of then president of National Bank Saeed Ahmed who didn’t deny the accounts in various banks. Saeed Ahmed admitted that all accounts in foreign banks were opened on the instruction of Ishaq Dar, Wajid Zia told the court.

The accounts were also opened in the name of Hajveri Mazarba, the prosecution witness said.

Saeed Ahmed told the JIT that he issued cheque books to accused Naeem Ahmed on instructions of Dar. Naeem Ahmed was an employee of the Hajveri Mazarba.

A reference was filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Ishaq Dar following the Supreme Court’s July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.