FIA freezes Moonis' accounts, attaches properties in money laundering case

Non-bailable arrest warrants for Moonis had been issued earlier

LAHORE:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has frozen the bank accounts of former federal minister Moonis Elahi and attached his properties as the agency submitted a compliance report to the special court. 

The former federal minister is under investigation for alleged money laundering. 

In a prior hearing, the special court's central judge had explicitly directed the freezing of eight bank accounts and the attachment of six immovable properties owned by Moonis. This move marked the initiation of proclamation proceedings against the accused.

The judge had stated that should Moonis fail to appear in person before the court within 30 days from the publication of the proclamation, he would be declared a proclaimed offender.

According to documents presented by the FIA, Moonis allegedly utilized these bank accounts for the purpose of money laundering. Substantial sums of money were both deposited and withdrawn, with the report revealing the withdrawal of Rs487.6 million by Moonis from these accounts.

In the previous proceedings, non-bailable arrest warrants had been issued against Moonis, who was reported as unavailable at both his residence in Barcelona, Spain and his residence in Lahore.

Read: Court declares Moonis proclaimed offender

During the subsequent proceedings, FIA authorities submitted an application, seeking the attachment of properties belonging to Moonis, who is currently declared an absconder . The application specified eight bank accounts and six immovable properties linked to Elahi.

Simultaneously, the FIA Director Lahore was tasked with submitting a compliance report concerning these actions, underscoring the commitment to a thorough and transparent legal process.