NAB summons Farah Gogi

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has summoned Farhat Shahzadi alias Farah Gogi – a close aide of former first lady Bushra Bibi – and her husband Ahsan Jamil Gujjar for an inquiry in money laundering and assets beyond means case on Thursday (tomorrow).

An official maintained that both the husband and wife had been summoned after over 117 bank accounts against Gujjar had surfaced, including four foreign bank accounts.

He said more than Rs4.5 billion worth transactions had been made into these accounts whereas at least 10 companies in the ownership of both have also emerged.

The official maintained that over 400 per cent increase was reported in their assets during the last three years, adding that a luxury apartment was registered against the couple in the Middle East.

They also own at least eight properties including a commercial plaza in Defence Lahore, he added.

The call up notice issued separately to both the husband and wife read, "Whereas the competent authority has taken the cognizance of an offence committed by you and others under the provisions of National Accountability Ordinance, 1999 and Anti Money Laundering Act, 2010".

It further read, "the inquiry proceedings conducted so far have revealed that there is huge movement of cash in your and your husband bank accounts which does not commensurate with your banking profile. Moreover, during the proceedings a whole range of valuable immovable assets has also been surfaced in your and your husband's names, which also do not commensurate with your sources of income. Accordingly, you are in possession of information/evidence whatsoever, which relate to the commission [of] an offence under the provisions of NAO, 1999 and AMLA 2010. You were called upon to appear at this Bureau vide above referred notice but you failed to do so".