Four witnesses record statements in NAB reference against Ishaq Dar

ISLAMABAD: After recording statements of four witnesses the accountability court adjourned the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) assets reference case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Ishaq Dar till Thursday. 

During proceedings on Monday, four witnesses including a private bank officer Faisal Shahzad, Director National Assembly Sher Dil Khan, Director Ministry Commerce Qamar Zaman and Deputy Secretary Cabinet Division Wasif Hussain recorded their statement.

Witness Faisal Shahzad also submitted details of bank accounts of Dar's wife before the court. 

The court directed NAB to submit its report pertaining to confiscation of properties of Dar and his guarantors and dismissed Dar's request to appoint Qazi Misbah as his counsel.

Former director NADRA Syed Qaboos Aziz will appear before the court as NAB's witness in the next hearing. 

The accountability reference case has been adjourned until December 21.

On Thursday, NAB decided to issue a red notice for Dar to bring him back to Pakistan with the help of the Interpol.

The PML-N leader is currently receiving medical treatment in London.

According to a notification issued by the accountability department, Dar is suffering from no such ailment that cannot be treated in Pakistan.

Dar is accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income.

A reference against the former finance minister was filed by the NAB in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.

Dar had been earlier declared a proclaimed offender by the accountability court due to his continuous absence from the proceedings.

On November 23, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi accepted Dar’s request to be relieved of his duties as finance minister. He was relieved of his three roles, including his portfolio in the finance ministry, and was informed of the decision.