Money laundering scam: SC orders transfer of accused to Adiala, Islamabad

CJP says they hold too much clout in Karachi for an independent investigation to be carried out

LAHORE: The top court on Saturday ordered to shift the main accused in a multi-billion rupees money laundering scandal from Sindh to a jail and a medical facility in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad so that the scandal could be probed without political interference.

Hussain Lawai and Abdul Ghani Majid, who are currently incarcerated in a jail in Karachi, where ordered to be transferred to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail while another accused, Anvar Majid, was shifted from a medical facility of Karachi to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad.

The Chief Justice Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar issued this order while heading a two-judge bench hearing the case that also involves the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) top leadership. Justice Ijazul Ahsan was the other member of the bench.



During the hearing, the CJP remarked that the case involves powerful people who may influence the investigation. “They [people related to accused] are in power in Sindh and an independent investigation could not be carried out there, so the accused are being shifted to an independent territory.”

Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Bashir Memon complained to the court about Anvar Majid’s non-cooperation in the investigation also requested the court to transfer the suspects from Karachi for fair investigation.

Rejecting the FIA’s claim, Majid’s counsel contended they are cooperating with the joint investigation team (JIT). He said Majid’s health was deteriorating and he was not in a condition to travel to Islamabad.

However, the CJP said Majid could be shifted in an air ambulance. “Once the JIT completes its probe, we will see whether they should be shifted back to Karachi or not,” the CJP remarked. He also directed the JIT to furnish its report within 10 days after completing investigation.

When Anvar Majid’s counsel reiterated his request not to shift his client to Islamabad, Justice Ahsan said the counsel’s insistence indicates that there is some motive behind having the case heard in Karachi.

The counsel for the Omni group told the court that the group owes Rs1.2 billion to Silk Bank, Rs1.8 billion to Summit Bank, Rs4.98 billion to National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Rs4.6 billion to Sindh Bank, which will be paid in the form of cash and property..



Majid’s counsel said three banks have accepted the offer for payment of loan in exchange of properties, however, the NBP is still reluctant. The CJP remarked he has no objection to the settlement.

The representatives of the banks, present in the court, accepted the properties offered by the group except the NBP. An NBP representative also insisted on payment of the loan in cash with a demand for strict adherence to timeline offered by the group.

The chief justice observed that all banks should finalise an intra-bank agreement for recovery of their loans and submit the same, adding that the NBP would be the lead bank. As the hearing proceeded, the FI told the court that the Omni Group is quoting inflated prices that are higher than the market value.

The top judge ordered heads of all the banks to present affidavits on property prices in the court. He made it clear the court will take action if anyone was found telling lies.

Meanwhile, the counsel of missing persons told the court that two witnesses who appeared before the JIT in connection with the case are still missing. “Tell the Sindh chief minister or his boss to get them recovered, do you understand what I am saying?” the CJP said.