ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (TNS): The Accountability Court (AC) will resume the hearing of a case pertaining to reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over the accumulation of beyond-the-means assets by former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Today.
Earlier, the accountability court had adjourned the hearing of NAB assets reference case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Ishaq Dar till December 21. Prosecution witness Qaboos Aziz will record his statement at the next hearing.
Four prosecution witnesses had recorded their statements before the accountability court in assets beyond known sources of income reference against former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the hearing the court had rejected Qazi Misbah’s application to represent Dar as counsel.
According to details, a private bank officer Faisal Shehzad submitted the details of Ishaq Dar’s bank records in the accountability court of judge Muhammad Bashir. National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) prosecutors and Ishaq Dar’s lawyers were present on the occasion.
The record of salary, local TA, DA, and allowances that Dar received as member of National Assembly and Senate and as federal minister was submitted in the court today.
The Court recorded the statements of bank officer Faisal Shahzad and Director National Assembly Sherdil today.Sherdil stated that Ishaq Dar was elected member of National Assembly in 1993 from constituency NA-95 Lahore and took oath as the MNA on December 16, the same year. Dar remained an MNA till November 1996 and received a monthly salary of Rs 14,000 in 1993, he added.
He further stated that Dar got elected to the National Assembly for the second time from National Assembly constituency NA-97 for the second time, took oath as MNA on January 15, 1997 and became a federal minister on February 5, 1997.
Witness Faisal Shahzad submitted the details of Dar’s bank accounts in the court.
The court also recorded the statement of third prosecution summoned today Qamar Zaman.The court had sought a report pertaining to confiscation of properties of Dar and his guarantors from NAB.
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.
It is pertinent to mention here that the reference has been filed against Dar by NAB upon the apex court’s directions. The accountability court had also sought a report regarding confiscation of the property of Ishaq Dar’s guarantor.
