Why is the FIA not proceeding against those persons concealing assets as revealed in the Panama Papers?
We may recall a news item that was published in The New York Times on May 18, 2015, alleging that a company known as Axact was involved in the business of forged degrees. The ultra-efficient FIA raided the office and building of Axact, occupying it within 24 hours of the news item being published, and shutting down its offices. Consequently, more than 15,000 employees were out of jobs. The FIA created criminal cases against the management and employees of Axact and till date, the FIA continues to keep possession of the said office and building.
For the past week or so, almost every newspaper in Pakistan and the entire electronic media is providing the names of the persons involved, either in money laundering, tax evasion, or keeping money in off-shore companies; but the ‘efficient’ FIA remains quiet, as it seems to pick and choose, at its discretion, persons against whom it wants to act, and not the elite class that is involved in unlawful activity.
What about the allegations in the Panama Papers? Why is the FIA not proceeding against those persons? Why do they not close down their businesses? We, the people of Pakistan, need to know the reason for the unilateral and discriminatory attitude of the FIA, as well as that of those running the country. The federal government, consisting of the prime minister and the federal ministers, who are also the heads of political parties, are alleged to have been involved in unlawful activities. Should the current government continue in power?
Anwar Mansoor Khan
Senior advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan
Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2016.
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