Allegation: PPP lawmaker’s son accused of fraud

Private businessman says MNA Waseer’s son ran away with Rs12 million.

ISLAMABAD:

The son of a ruling party lawmaker allegedly deceived his business partner, from whom he’d borrowed Rs12 million, and now threatens him with dire consequences when asked to return.

“Irfan Shahid, son of a Pakistan People Party MNA from Faisalabad Nawab Sher Waseer, borrowed Rs12 million from me in 2004-05 when he was my business partner,” said Khair Ibrar, a businessman from Swabi who runs a shop in G-10 sector Islamabad, at a press conference at the National Press Club.

“He has not turned up since then,” he said.

Over time, Shahid gave him various cheques worth Rs7 million but they were all dishonoured, he said.

“I lodged complaints with the FIA, the NAB and other departments, but all in vain since his father is a sitting MNA of the ruling party,” he added.

Giving his version, Ibrar said that Shahid was his business partner who frequently went to Dubai to bring garments back.

After borrowing Rs12 million from me to purchase cars, Shahid suddenly disappeared and refused to respond for a long time, said Ibrar.

“Now Irfan and his father threaten me of dire consequences whenever I approach them for the outstanding amount”, he said.

Ibrar said that father and son once agreed to return one-third of the borrowed money but he refused the offer, demanding that his total amount, plus the interest accrued, ought to be returned.

He said that he had registered FIRs against the accused who were subsequently declared proclaimed offenders, but have not been arrested due to their influence.

Allegations denied

When contacted, MNA Waseer said neither he nor his son have anything to do with this person.

He has been trying to blackmail me and my son by levelling such allegations, Waseer said.

“I only know that this person once went to court in Lahore and the court dismissed his plea due to lack of evidence”, he added.

If he has any claims, he should come to me rather than addressing press conferences, said the MNA.

His son, however, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2011.