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  • Sep 20th, 2018
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Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that properties of 2,700 Pakistanis have been identified in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and they have decided to summon them and take affidavits from them.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case regarding slackness in progress of pending inquiries relating to fake bank accounts. The Chief Justice rejected the DG FIA Bashir Memon's request for one month time to furnish the list and directed the FIA to file it within 15 days.

The court was informed that the federal government has signed an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) for bringing back looted money. The bench observed that still many areas were not covered in the accord. Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan remarked still money is being transferred abroad through hawala, hundi and foreign accounts. He inquired what steps have been taken by the government to stop illegal transfer of money.

Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor said that raids were conducted in Lahore, Multan, Karachi, Faisalabad and Peshawar to arrest people involved in hawala and hundi. Justice Ijaz said it means laws already existed but those were not implemented.

The AGP sought one week's time to amend various laws pertaining to money laundering and corruption, adding after one week they would inform the court about the measures taken by the government to curb the menace of hawala and hundi. He said the authorities have been collecting information about Pakistanis having properties and bank accounts abroad. He said the report of task force will be submitted fortnightly.

Justice Ijaz observed that according to the report, 44 persons were arrested as they were involved in the hawala and hundi business. The Chief Justice said they had great expectations from Governor State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa, but still no solution has been presented to bring back money shifted abroad.

The SBP governor informed the court that many amendments have been introduced in financial laws. He said until now efforts have been made to bring back money under domestic laws, while every country has its own laws regarding money laundering and corruption therefore it is required to study their laws.

Tariq Bajwa said due to the order of the apex court, the FIA can now send request for mutual legal assistance (MLA) to the relevant country, adding soon there will be positive result of it; and sought more time to do the needful.

The Chief Justice remarked that they had already given six months to the committee constituted by the Supreme Court. He said that except paper work, the committee members could not bring back even a single dollar. "Many times I have asked FBR Chairman Jehanzeb Khan to provide the list of persons who have shifted money to foreign countries so that they could be summoned." He said if the FBR cannot summon them then give the list to the court so they could summon and question them.

Tariq Bajawa said that 550 properties of Pakistanis that had been identified in the UAE are just the start and could be taken as pilot project. He said it was also their desire that the apex court should pass an order in this regard.

The Chief Justice then asked him they would summon 550 persons who have properties abroad and inquired from them about the transfer of money. He said if somebody had transferred money to foreign country then under Article 183(3) they have power to pass an order for recovery of the repatriated money.

Tariq Bajwa said they are seeking to summon those people and take affidavit from them. The Chief Justice said if that is the case then they pass order for their appearance after Ashura.

The SBP governor stated it would be good if the Task Force summons them instead of the apex court. The Chief Justice said they also wanted the government to take the ownership.

Addressing Director General FIA Bashir Memon, the Chief Justice said that according to information, Pakistanis have Rs 1,000 billion properties abroad. He said if they would provide the list then such persons who own billions of rupees properties abroad could be summoned by the court. The AGP said that they would provide the list of such people next week.The case was adjourned for two weeks.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018


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