Six countries sent evidence for NAB references against Sharif family, Dar

ISLAMABAD: The government received more than a dozen documentary files from six countries which were clubbed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with its four interim references filed against the Sharif family and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday.

“Around 17 communications have been received from six countries, these are actionable evidence,” a senior official of NAB confided to this correspondent.

The Central Authority of Switzerland responded to two requests, providing all the details the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) sought against the accused individuals either named in the Panama Papers or anybody else associated with them, said a senior official who was familiar with the content of the new investigation report prepared by Investigation Officer Mohammad Imran.

The British Virgin Islands provided details about all the offshore companies owned by the children of Nawaz Sharif, revealed the officer further.

The government of United Kingdom, which was requested under the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), also provided details about Avenfield properties. 

“It [UK government] also ensured us of all kinds of assistance we need to collect more information about the properties and businesses owned by the former premier and his children in UK,” added the official who is also familiar with content of Volume X, which on request of JIT is being kept secret till further orders from the apex court. 

"All new files came through Volume X, this is an ongoing process," he disclosed.

Similarly, the government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), in its seven communications, also provided some facts about properties of Hussain Nawaz and his family, the official further disclosed. 

The governments of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and KSA also provided details about Azizia Steel Company, Capital FZA and Hill Metal Establishment, said another senior official of NAB Lahore. 

UAE government would also be providing details about Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also facing a reference, revealed the official. 

The new investigation report clubbed with the interim reference on Friday about Ishaq Dar was prepared by Nadir Abbas and also had evidence attached which was recently collected from UAE and Switzerland, he added. 

The government of Luxemburg also responded to the JIT request accordingly.

The corruption watchdog also relied on findings gathered by the Panama JIT headed by Wajid Zia.

“We will rely upon the MLA and JIT’s findings, investigation officers hope to collect more actionable evidence from abroad accordingly,” a senior NAB official revealed.