ISLAMABAD: The multibillion fake bank accounts case on Wednesday took a new turn after two former president of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) turned approver against former Asif Ali Zardari in the Park Lane reference.
According to an investigation report submitted by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) before Accountability Court, two former presidents of NBP Syed Ali Raza and Syed Qamar Hussain have become approver in the case and the bureau has pardoned them as per law.
As per report, NAB has prepared a list of 61 witnesses including NBP's credit committee, Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP's) officials, computer operator of Parthenon company and nine members of NAB's investigation team against Zardari . NAB has recorded statements of all witnesses under section 161 of Cr. P. C and they would be produced before the court following indictment of the accused.
Quoting investigation report, a NAB official said that Raza was the president of NBP at the time loan was extended to Parthenon Company, the alleged front company of Park Lane. Qamar Hussain, the head of the credit lending committee, later became president of the NBP. Raza has been approver on his own application, he said.
He said that according to the statement of Raza, Zardari being a president of Pakistan had introduced Anwar Majeed and Abdul Ghani Majeed to bank officials. Zardari had told bank officials that Anwer Majeed and Abdul Ghani Majeed would deliver his messages to them.
As per investigation report, loan had been extended under Zardari's pressure which was deposited into fake accounts. Younus and Qidwai ran Park Lane and Parthenon company as front men. Qidwai deposited loan and kickback in fake accounts, the investigation report said.
He said that during the raid on Qadwai's office, seals of fake accounts of A-One International were recovered.
NAB deputy prosecutor general Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi while arguing over acquittal application of Zardari in Park lane case said that money had been transferred from Park Lane accounts into account of handcarts owners. Park Lane had been set up in September 2009 but proposal for acquiring loan had been prepared before setting up the company, he said.
He said the sponsors and owner of Park Lane and Parthenon Company were well acquainted with the top management of Arif Habib Bank. The bank said that the project over which the money has to be spent does not have permit, he said, adding that setting all the reasons aside Arif Habib Bank president Hussain Lawai extended the loan because it was planned before getting loan to not pay it off or default on it, he said.
During the hearing, Abassi while purportedly quoting former president NBP's statement said that former NBP president was first made an accused and then the bureau approved his application seeking pardon. According to the former president of NBP, he was invited by Khawaja Anwar Majeed to Asif Ali Zardari's dinner where Zardari told him that Majeed is very close to him and he should be taken care of, Abbasi said.
Abbasi completed his arguments and the court adjourned the hearing till August 7.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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