Government gets until 17th in foreign assets case (Lahore city)
They have not submitted their affidavits about money laundering despite repeated court orders
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the federal government to submit a reply on a petition against the alleged foreign assets of 64 prominent Pakistanis.
Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan heard the petition filed by Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafri. A deputy attorney general appeared before the court and sought more time to file the reply on behalf of the government.
The judge allowed the request and directed the law officer to ensure submission of the reply by the next hearing - November 17. Justice Khan remarked that it was the job of the government to take action against money launderers.
In his petition, Barrister Jafri stated that the respondents had transferred at least $400 billion to foreign countries through money laundering. “By doing this, they have caused a huge loss to the national exchequer. They have not submitted their affidavits about money laundering despite repeated court orders. Pakistan will have no need for foreign loans if the politicians’ assets in other countries are brought back,” he said.
He asked the court to issue directions to the respondents to bring back the assets.
Among others, the respondents include Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, son Hussain Nawaz, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chief Imran Khan, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and his wife, former president Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur and former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2015.
Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the federal government to submit a reply on a petition against the alleged foreign assets of 64 prominent Pakistanis.
Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan heard the petition filed by Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafri. A deputy attorney general appeared before the court and sought more time to file the reply on behalf of the government.
The judge allowed the request and directed the law officer to ensure submission of the reply by the next hearing - November 17. Justice Khan remarked that it was the job of the government to take action against money launderers.
In his petition, Barrister Jafri stated that the respondents had transferred at least $400 billion to foreign countries through money laundering. “By doing this, they have caused a huge loss to the national exchequer. They have not submitted their affidavits about money laundering despite repeated court orders. Pakistan will have no need for foreign loans if the politicians’ assets in other countries are brought back,” he said.
He asked the court to issue directions to the respondents to bring back the assets.
Among others, the respondents include Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, son Hussain Nawaz, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chief Imran Khan, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and his wife, former president Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur and former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2015.