Money-laundering case: JIT has started receiving information, says CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday said a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the money laundering case has started receiving information and a report is awaited.

Justice Nisar was hearing a case against fake bank accounts that were used to launder over Rs100 billion out of Pakistan.

During the hearing, Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Bashir Memon informed the Supreme Court that Omni Group has deposited over Rs11 billion in the bank as surety.

As the hearing went under way, the chief justice inquired whether Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed, who is currently in custody in the fake bank accounts case, and his son, Nimr, were present in court.

“We did not get Nimr Majeed arrested as the matter pertains to businesses and bank loans. At this time, banks are suffering losses and you have to repay them,” the chief justice remarked.

At this, Omni Group counsel Muneer Bhatti said, “We are in talks with banks, give us 10 days.” The group’s second counsel, Khawaja Naveed added, “Omni Group’s accounts are frozen and loans can be repaid through them.”

However, Justice Nisar said, “Right now, we will not issue any order regarding this.”

The court then adjourned the hearing of the case till November 5.

The case

The Federal Investigation Agency is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. 

Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July in connection with the probe. The former president's another close aide and Omni Group chairman, Anwar Majeed, and his son, Abdul Ghani Majeed, were also arrested by the FIA in August. Lawai, Majeed and his son remain under custody.

Earlier this month, FIA sources informed that the mastermind of the money laundering and fake accounts case, Aslam Masood, had been arrested by the Interpol from Jeddah.