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

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

“Do you know Hajveri Foundation provides sustenance to 90 orphan children? defence counsel asked the NAB witness during the hearing.

“Don’t remember the Foundation was providing sustenance to orphans or the number of children under its patronage,” Wajid Zia replied.

“You don’t remember, okay we are assisting you to remember,” the lawyer said. “Your report submitted in Supreme Court says that Hajveri Foundation and Trust are welfare entities”.

“I can not say, Hajveri Trust works for patient welfare,” the witness said. “The JIT didn’t gather details of any project of the Foundation,” he further said.

“It is correct Ishaq Dar had recorded his statement before the JIT. He told the NAB had confiscated his tax record in 1999”.

NAB prosecutor objected over the questions of the defence lawyer. “All questions being asked about a proclaimed offender,” NAB counsel Afzal Qureshi said.

The defence lawyer is questioning about an absconding person, which is against what the law said, the prosecutor remarked.

In previous hearing of the case, the counsel for the co-accused Naeem Mehmood and Mansoor Rizvi, continued the cross-examination of the JIT head Wajid Zia.

Zia stated that the JIT had started the investigation on the directions of the Supreme Court to find answers of 13 questions. The defense counsel argued that the top court had not given directions for investigation against Ishaq Dar.

He inquired whether the JIT summoned Ishaq Dar for investigation purpose. At this, the NAB prosecutor objected on the query and asked him to limit his cross-examining to his clients.

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

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.