ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has formally initiated an inquiry against the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leadership in a money laundering case. It has been alleged that over $32 million had been laundered.
The decision to initiate the inquiry against Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif came after President Asif Ali Zardari gave the green signal.
“The president directed NAB Chairman to make sure that there should be no political victimisation in the case,” Bureau spokesperson Zafar Iqbal Khan said on Thursday in his media briefing.
Responding to another question that Chairman NAB was not taking action against Sharif brothers because of directions given by the President, the spokesperson clarified that "Chairman NAB was misquoted, he (Fasih) never stated anything like that.”
Interior Minister Rehman Malik had claimed on April 28 that he had documentary evidence of corruption against the PML-N leadership and would refer them to NAB.
The federal government is the complainant in this reference, which also includes cases related to defaulting on loans worth Rs4.9 billion taken from nine different banks in the early 90s.
When the spokesperson was asked if Malik is the complainant, he said, “I can only tell you that a formal inquiry has been initiated.”
Malik had earlier claimed that he had evidence against the PML-N leaders siphoning off public funds worth $32 million.
The interior minister had said that he had collected the evidence in his personal capacity after he was asked by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to investigate the Hudabiya Paper Mills case, the Mehran Bank scandal and various other cases related to money laundering.
PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan had rejected the allegations leveled by Malik, terming them ‘a pack of lies.’
Express News had earlier reported that Rehman Malik had filed the reference.
Correction: An earlier version of this story carried an incorrect quote attributed to NAB spokesperson, wherein the President ordered an inquiry into money laundering by the Sharif brothers.
COMMENTS (29)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Ch Allah Daad: Honest (IK) will investigate corrupts (Nwaz, Shabaz, Zardari,............)
Corrupt investigating the honest.
@asad shah: What are you talking about.
Nawaz Sharif was charged and convicted by the Supreme Court. He received capital punishment. Then the brave son of the soil sold his soul to sign an NRO with Musharraf to spare his life, who mercifully gave him safe passage to flee the country with 40 suitcases. Its a true story!
This current reference is nothing compared to the crimes of Mr. Sharif.
No one has immunity in Pakistan except the judges, the generals, and the Sharif brothers.
What moral ethics one can expect from the Pakistani Charles Sobhraj who fled the battle ground (Pakistan) with 40 suitcases leaving his soldiers behind at the mercy of the conquering general.
Gen Mush did not pursue NS, because he signed an apology and disappeared for a decade or till Mush had the power. Once they were out of his way and away from politics why would he waste his time on the tamed lion? On the other hand if Sharifs would have stayed in Pakistan and not compromised under their NRO, Mush had the cases against them including plane highjacking. Both parties stuck to the terms and stayed out of each other's throat.
Haris Khan: I agree with most of the things you've stated above but does this mean that give a free hand to all the institutions of the system? Sir starting from Ayub's time the military has always been critical of the civilians and this point paves their way into ruling the country. Now given the facts that army has ruled more than the civilians, and im sure you also know that no matter which puppet government they install the real power in this unfortunate society remains them, even in democracy their part of the budget is quite higher than the civilians, I guess that serves better in picking up people in Balochistan so i dont see a reason why not to put them on trial. No body should be above the law but still they are. I really like IK as a person but as a politician he never speaks about this stuff. He used to before but I've keenly noticed that after the huge Lahore jalsa his stance on this has become quite soft. Same goes about his stance on MQM now. Now he says they are a reality but yar they always were why now when you have more power and you can actually make a difference. Even though politicians have not also done a good job so far but this doesn't mean stop believing in the system (democracy). All the nations progressed because of a continuous system. India is very ahead of us now but countries like Bangladesh who are almost half our age are economically going quite ahead of us just because of a continuous system.
@Concern1: does it in any way equivlant to what SHAHEED'S party done to us in last forty years??????
@asad shah If politicians are not corrupt, no other institution can dare even thinking about corruption.. When other institution like Judiciary, Army or Government servants see that the elected few, who are the custodian of public money and to which they are accountable, are the biggest thief, then what should they be worried about. That is why IK talks about accountability of politicians. That is why he says that if we have a sincere cabinet team, major corruption can be stopped in 90 days. You have to look at the root cause
Come on people move on. If any of this was true it would've been proved under Musharraf as he investigated NS thoroughly. I think this is just another political stunt of the PPP. And yeah out of 8041 people in the NRO only 34 were politicians. Dont know why this country since its existence has ignored the corruption of the military, judges and government servants. Whenever there is a politician people like IK jump up to tell how honest they are. Why not when the military which has always been taking most of our money in the budget be held accountable? IK cant even think of doing this if he is in government mark my word
Sharifs should take refuge in the LHC and SC. They have an immunity from the PCO judges since they had attacked the SC and got away. Sharifs are the most honest family and have no assets that is why they pay little or no taxes. The NAB and courts should continue their mission against the elected coalition govt and not waste time in other cases.
I don't know either they should be inquired about the money laundering or not but one thing about which this news reports is pointing to is that Pakistan is heading back to 80's politics. What is the fate of the "COD" which was signed by BB and Nawaz Sharif that neither they topple each others governments nor they fix false graft charges against each other. Is it the duty of alone PML(N) to stick with the "COD"? And after the death of BB (who signed COD for PPP) PPP is out of the contract?
Asghar Khan Case has made Pakistan a laughing stock. It is not only mockery of Pakistan but the people as well. Conspiracies are hatched against PPP since its inception. Younis Habbib very clearly mentioned that he was compelled to level fabricated cased against Asif Ali Zardari. What is the compensation for damage that PPP received from IJI. Nawaz Sharif today is trying to become the champion of democracy was the main culprit. Doesn’t he deserve a capital punishment? Earlier Saif ur Rehman confessed that Zardari was charged on graft cases leveled on the direction of Nawaz Sharif and now Younis Habib repeated the same story. What is the legal position of these cases against Asif Zardari? Would honorable CJP take any sue moto on this issue?Sahib.
Is there any doubt that Sharifs have not taken money? There are thousands and thousands videos that shows Sharifs’ admiration and support for military ruler in 80s and 90s. They are known for marriage of convenience, they are with PPP now to shield themselves against these cases. How Senator Pervez Rashid can rebuff the statement of key witness Younis Habib, who himself delivered money to Nawaz Sharif? If PML-N chief is not involved in this crime why he did not dare to sue Younis Habib? We have observed time and again that just for the lust of power PML-N played in hands of military. The recent statements of PML_N chief against ISI should not be taken as in greater national interest but it is just because of personal grudge. Bravo Mian Sahib.
Hmmm......Is hammam mein tamam nangein hein.......
According to Transparency International: Pakistan's decline continue in Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and now its Index Score is 2.3 against 2.4 in 2009, and out of 178 countries, its ranking as most corrupt country has slipped 7 ranks, from 42 in 2009 to 34 most corrupt country in 2010.
A total of 8041 people including 34 politicians, bureaucrats and three ambassadors took benefit from the NR Ordinance !!!!
nothing going to happen in this tug of war, stop fooling people.
Both Brothers are fraud and they will face supreme accountabiliy of the NAB
Sharif should fight their case in the court, to settle the issue once for all.
Only one reference???? They rule on more than 60% and as such at least six references should have been filed. Anyhow this will be a test case for friendly NS's judiciary.
Good---they all should expose and help destruction of eachother!
As soon as the reference is submitted, the most efficient NAB has started work on it. just WONDERFUL !!!!!!!!!!!Has it started work on PSM case transferred to it by SC? Surely NO !!!
I wonder if this is the end of "muk muka" ?
And the Game of Thrones has begun.........
PPP, you don't want to start it again because you will suffer a lot after the coming elections you know that.....
PPP is playing with PML N,,,like kids play with ball
here we go corrupt investigating the corrupt
only hope is IK
This tit-for-tat politics should stop. Both sides are dirty, they both know this and so does the public.