Money parked abroad: LHC issues notices to 64 politicians
Politicians include PM Nawaz, Punjab CM Shahbaz, PTI chief Imran, PPP Chairman Bilawal and former president Zardari.
CDA decides to take action against leaseholders for non-renewal. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
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.
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.