JIT detects 33 more accounts in money laundering case against Zardari, others

ISLAMABAD: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) apprised the Supreme Court of a significant development in its probe informing 33 more accounts surfaced, which were reportedly used in money laundering scam involving Asif Ali Zardari and others.

JIT head submitted the investigation report to the Supreme Court on Monday as a bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar hearing the case of money laundering through fake bank accounts.

The report read that 33 more dubious accounts have been detected that are under scrutiny and 334 individuals were involved in transactions. Moreover, 210 companies were found to be suspicious, out of which 47 companies were related to the Omni Group, the report detailed.

The State Bank, and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) assisted the JIT in digging out the data from the alleged bank accounts.

The apex court questioned the whereabouts of Mr. Arif, a character of the case, on which JIT head Ahsaan Sadiq responded that he was the accountant at Omni Group and is currently abroad. Interpol is being approached for his extradition, he added.

On September 6, the apex court constituted a six-member joint investigation team to investigate the fake bank accounts case.

Six members of the JIT, headed by Additional Director General (Economic Crime Wing) FIA Headquarters Ahsan Sadiq, include Commissioner-IR (Corporate Zone) Regional Tax Officer Imran Latif Minhas, Joint Director BID-I State Bank of Pakistan Majid Hussain, Director National Accountability Bureau Noman Aslam, Muhammad Afzal, Director (Specialized Companies Division) Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Brigadier Shahid Parvez of Inter-Services Intelligence.

SC bars special court from issuing notices

During the hearing today (Monday), the top court ordered the special court not to issue any notice in fake bank accounts case without bringing it into the knowledge of the Supreme Court.