Details of foreign bank accounts produced

FAZAL SHER

ISLAMABAD: Deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) appeared before Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir in connection with corruption reference filed against them by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The court recorded the statements of three prosecution witnesses including Noureen Shehzadi, a bank official, Waqar Ahmad, Assistant Director NAB, and Sher Ahmed, financial crime expert, in connection with the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and the Hill Metals Establishment cases. They were later cross-examined by defense counsel Khawaja Haris.

Shehzadi while recording her statement produced the details of four local and foreign bank accounts of Hussain Nawaz. She produced the details of US dollar account from May 21, 2010 to April 19, 2017, Euro account from June 2, 2010 to April 19, 2017, pound sterling account and Pakistani rupee account before the court. During cross-examination, she said that investigation officer asked her about the original documents. To a question raised by Haris, the prosecution witness said that the documents she produced before the court were neither prepared by her nor were they prepared in front of her.

Haris further asked the witness, “Had you told the investigation officer about the documents you received from the bank head officer? Did you present them to him? Did the investigation officer ask you who the custodian of the original documents is?” Shehzadi said that she told the investigation officer that original documents were at bank headquarter in Karachi. To a question she said that the investigation officer did not ask about the current in-charge of the bank archives. Sher Ahmed, NAB financial and account expert, testifying before the court said that he has been working with NAB for the last three years. On February 1, 2018 he was approached and provided some documents including extract of a profit & loss bank account and bank statement of the account holder. He was asked to conduct financial analysis of documents.

During cross-examination, he said that Ifran Mangi is his director general (DG) who was also member of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that probed the Panama Papers case.

When Haris asked if he (Mangi) is the same person against whom there is a case pending in the Supreme Court regarding illegal appointment, NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbass said this question could not be asked from the witness. This matter is not related to this proceedings, he added.

To another question, the witness said that he did not attach any document with his report.

The court adjourned of case hearing till March 21, after defense counsel Khawaja Haris completed cross-examination of all witnesses.