RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court summoned Wajid Zia, the head of joint investigation team (JIT) that investigate Panama Papers case, today (Wednesday) in connection with a corruption reference filed against former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir, while hearing a reference against Dar pertaining to assets beyond means, summoned Zia and an investigation officer Nadir Abbas to record their statements.

The court recorded the statement of a prosecution witness, Joint Registrar Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Sidrah Mansoor. While testifying before the court, Mansoor presented ‘verified’ documents regarding Dar’s companies.

According to the witness, Dar had set up Gulf Insurance Limited Company in 1987 and the former minister had also formed another company namely CNG Pakistan Limited in 2001.

She said that Dar also owned Pakistan Development Limited and HDS Securities Limited Company.

Special Prosecutor NAB Imran Shafiq requested the court to grant one or two days for production of witnesses.

To this, the judge said, “Try to produce Wajid Zia and the investigation officer on Wednesday (today) for recording their statements.”

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Jan 31 (today).