NAB calls for strict freeze on Dar’s assets

Notices sent to provincial and federal govt departments


Danish Hussain November 11, 2017
Ishaq Dar. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday asked several provincial and federal government departments to strictly comply with its order to freeze Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s assets, ensuring status quo on the ownership of the assets.

On November 2, an accountability court hearing a reference against the finance minister had endorsed the NAB order to freeze all domestic and foreign assets and properties, bank accounts and investments owned by Dar.

NAB dispatched urgent notices to several departments, in this regard.

The bureau identified Dar’s 13 assets – including plots, properties, and vehicles – inside Pakistan, two investments within Pakistan and seven assets and companies abroad.

Ishaq Dar can’t finance his lawyers

In the accountability court, Dar’s lawyer contended that some of his client’s assets and vehicles mentioned by NAB’s investigation team had already been sold or gifted by Dar to his children.

According to a document obtained by The Express Tribune, Capital Development Authority (CDA) was also informed of the accountability court’s decision regarding 48 kanals of land in Moza Milot near Park Road in the federal capital.

According to NAB, this property is jointly owned by Dar and his wife, and CDA was asked to ensure that the status of the property was not changed.

Accountability court confirms freezing Ishaq Dar's assets

On November 2, Dar’s counsel Ayesha Hamid told the accountability court that the land in Moza Milot did not belong to Dar.

Dar’s properties in Pakistan included House No7, Block H, Gulberg III, Lahore; three plots in Alfalah Housing Society, Lahore; six-acre land in Islamabad, two-kanal plot in the Parliamentarians’ Enclave, Islamabad; two-kanal plot with Ayaz Builders (Pvt) Limited; a plot in the Senate Cooperative Housing Society, Islamabad; another plot measuring two kanals and nine marlas; and six vehicles, including Land Cruisers and Mercedes.

Assets and companies abroad included a flat (No E-144, Hajveri Villa, Emirates Hill, Dubai, UAE), an apartment (No 3204, Palm Jumairah, Dubai, UAE), two vehicles, and shares and investment in Baraq Holding (Pvt) Ltd and Dar Al Nahayan (Pvt) Ltd.

NAB seeks court’s nod for freezing Dar’s assets

He also has two investments and shares in Pakistani companies.

NAB seized all of Dar’s moveable and immoveable assets under Section 12 of the National Accountability Ordinance of 1999.

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