Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Friday sought a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah over complaints of the provincial government’s non-cooperation in a probe against a mega money laundering scam, a private TV channel reported.
The Supreme Court heard the case against fake bank accounts that were used to launder over Rs 100 billion out of Pakistan, at the Karachi Registry. Head of the joint investigation team (JIT) Ahsan Sadiq was present in the court along with other officials.
The court was told about the purported lack of cooperation from the Sindh government and other departments in the probe, at which Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar asked to meet Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in his chamber. The chief justice clarified that he was not summoning the chief minister but would meet him in his chamber regarding complaints that the Sindh government was not cooperating with the JIT.
Sindh chief secretary informed the court that all records have been shared with the JIT. The JIT head acknowledged that all documents have indeed been received, but are yet to be scrutinised.
The chief justice observed that Omni Group owed Rs 23 billion and that he would summon response from the group after reviewing the final report on the matter. The top judge remarked that all provincial chief secretaries have assured the court of cooperation in the case. There will be strict action against those who fail to follow the court orders, he warned.
The Federal Investigation Agency is investigating 32 people in relation to alleged money laundering from fictitious accounts, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.
Published in Daily Times, October 27th 2018.
