Hearing a petition seeking court’s directive for politicians to bring their foreign assets back to Pakistan, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued notices to federal government and at least 64 politicians.
Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafri had filed the petition against 26 political leaders in 1996 and later amended it and added more names to it.
These politicians include Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former president Asif Ali Zardari. The lawyer claimed that the politicians caused a huge loss to the national exchequer by transferring at least $300,000 million to foreign countries through money laundering.
He said these politicians had not yet submitted in the court their affidavits about the money laundering despite repeated court orders. He said Pakistan would have no need to obtain foreign loans if assets of politicians were brought back and used in retiring foreign debt.
Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan adjourned hearing till May 29 and sought replies from the respondents.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2014.
COMMENTS (10)
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Money should be brought back that is ill gotten. However, many legitimate and genuine businessmen from all over the world including US, UK, CHINA, PAKISTAN, INDIA, SRILANKA, FRANCE. like to use off shore tax havens, as money is more safe there and it is legally more tax efficient. It is also a good idea that way to conduct global business, as it has been the age of globalisation for last 30 years, Pakistanis, and Pakistani business' lag in this although they are getting better.
so although i agree bring bak politicians, bureaucrats, generals, and tax cheating businessmen money, but no those who have legitimately opened for business purposes.
“Pakistanis are poor but Pakistan is not a poor country”, says one of the Swiss Bank Directors. He says that “28 trillions (28,000,000,000,000) of Pak Rupees are deposited in Swiss Banks which can be used for:
“tax free” budgets for 30 years.
Can give 6o million jobs to all Pakistan .
Constructing 4 lane roads from any village to Islamabad .
Ensure forever free supply to more than 500 social projects.
Financial Assistance of Rs. 20,000 per month to every citizen for 60 years.
Disbanding the need of World Bank and IMF loans.
Think how our money is stolen and blocked by rich corrupt politicians, bureaucrats & others. We have full right to react against all these corrupt people.
Don’t ignore and forgive corruption at any level in our country.
Since 1997, Swiss banks are overflowing with ill gotten money from almost all dictators of 3rd world coutries without due diligence and without questioning the source of their wealth.
Sani Abacha (Nigerian dictator), Mobutu (President of Congo), Lansana Conte (President of Guinea), Gnassingbe Eyadema (President of Togo), Arap Moi (President of Kenya), Omar Bongo (President of Gabon), Obiang Nguema (President of Equitorial Guinea), Blaise Compaore (President of Burkina Faso), Denis Sassou Nguesso (President of Congo-Brazzaville), Eduardo dos Santos (sitting President of Angola), Sadam Hussein (hanged Iraqi President), Jerry Rawling (Ghana’s dictator), Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines), Baby Doc Duvalier (dictator of Haiti), Raul Salinas (Mexico), Hosni Mubarak (Egypt), Yoweri Museveni (President of Uganda), Augusto Pinochet (late Chilean dictator), Muammar Gaddafi (Libya) Ibrahim Babangida (Nigerian military ruler)
Case filed in 1996 and court adjourned for new dates. Kangaroo court in action
Shouldn’t the notices start from Shariff on down including the previous what’s his name previous President.
Petition filed in 1996! It is 18 years, one wonders how many. Of original named persons are in politics today
Ha ha ha.
another waste of time and money like Zardari case
lol.....as if they will be recovered