NAB to move Interpol for Dar's extradition

Bureau says former finance minister does not have any medical condition that warrants treatment abroad

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday announced that it would bring former finance minister Ishaq Dar – declared a proclaimed offender by an accountability court – back to Pakistan through Interpol.

The NAB Executive Board, which met here on Thursday, said in a statement it was convinced that Dar had not been suffering from any disease which could not be treated in Pakistan.

“A letter will soon be written to the federal interior ministry for initiation of process of obtaining Interpol’s red notice against Dar,” said a senior NAB official.

On Tuesday, an accountability court, currently hearing a reference against Dar related to accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income, had termed his medical reports “a deliberate act to avoid court” and declared him a proclaimed offender.

Recently the government had announced bringing back – through Interpol – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-London chief Altaf Hussain, former president Pervez Musharraf and self-exiled Baloch separatist leader Brahamdagh Bugti. However, there was no success.

The official said that the NAB would soon file an application with the interior ministry along with required identification documents and accountability court order to complete the “red notice” application requirements for Interpol.



On November 15, the NAB had also recommended placing the name of Dar on the exit control list, and a request to this effect was sent to interior ministry but no decision had been taken so far. A few days ago Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said his ministry’s legal team was vetting that application.

Interpol notices are international requests of cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information. In the case of red notices, the suspects are wanted by national jurisdictions for prosecution or to serve a sentence. Interpol assists the national police forces in identifying and locating wanted people for lawful action.

Other inquiries

The NAB Executive Board also gave approval for inquires into alleged corruption and irregularities in 56 public limited companies set up by the Punjab government, besides Multan Metro Bus Project, New Islamabad International Airport, sale of PIA plane (A-310) to Germany and others.

The board authorised some eight inquires after completion of process of complaints verifications, and two investigations after completion of inquires in two cases.

On November 17, NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal had taken notice of multiple allegations, with regards to the establishment 56 public limited companies by the Punjab government and directed the NAB to collect evidence.

“Available evidence, collected by NAB, demands initiation of formal inquiry into allegations of alleged corruption, irregularities, waste of public resources, absence of transparency in tendering various projects and regular audits, favoritism in appointments and inordinate delay in completion of different projects,” the NAB official informed.



Some of the prominent companies included Punjab Saaf Pani Company, Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company, Lahore Transport Company, Lahore Waste Management Company, Lahore Parking Company, Multan Cattle Market Management Company, Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board, and waste management companies in various cities across the province.

Another important inquiry authorised by the NAB on Thursday pertained to the Multan Metro Bus project. There are allegations of corruption, kickbacks, misuse of public funds and violation of rules in award of contracts under the multi-billion-rupee project executed by the Punjab government.

Similarly, the graft-buster would conduct an inquiry into the sale of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane to Germany by a former chief executive officer of the national-flag carrier. In October, the Public Accounts Committee had directed the NAB to hold that inquiry.

The NAB board also authorised an inquiry into allegations of involvement of the Habib Bank, New York branch, in money laundering. While, the NAB would also conduct inquiry against the vice chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur.