Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that Malik Riaz and his son “must face the courts and present their defence”, a day after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said the government was investigating the business tycoon. Contacting United Arab Emirates for Extradition in Al-Qadir Trust Case
Meanwhile, Riaz termed NAB’s action against him as a “new demand for blackmail” and said he would not testify, without specifying in which case.
The development comes after former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife were convicted last week in the Al-Qadir Trust case, in which Riaz and his son are also co-accused and accused criminals. As the PTI and legal experts pointed to the need for accountability of all those involved, Tarar said consultations were on to bring back other fugitives.
A day earlier, the NAB, while saying it was seeking Riyaz’s extradition, said it had opened an inquiry against him and his accomplices for “cheating, cheating and cheating the public on a large scale”. And investigating.
In a televised address today, Tarar recalled the NAB’s press release, which quoted the accountability watchdog as saying that it had solid evidence in these inquiries.
Describing Riaz and his son as fugitives, Tarar asserted that if they could have defended themselves before the two courts, they would have done so in the Al-Qadir Trust case and other inquiries.
“They (Riyadh and his son) should face the courts, and present their defence, which they have so far failed to do.”
He said: “NAB’s press release and it says that more cases are going on… One of them is Takht Pari, an area of Rawalpindi with illegal occupation and illegal housing society and billions of rupees from public. It is a matter of division. “
“Not appearing before the court, evading its proceedings, and not presenting any proof or evidence in his defense there,” added the minister. […]. According to the NAB press release, the property has already been confiscated and more will be done.
The minister said that further legal proceedings should be completed in the cases against the property tycoon.
“It should not be about who has what position, how much power, or who has how much money.”
Asserting that the NAB acted in accordance with the law without bias, the minister asserted that the bureau was taking “credible steps” on the matter.
This is the first time that NAB has [taken action against] Evidence-based action was taken against such influential persons and against them in compliance with legal requirements.
Tarr highlighted: “Not only the Takhtpari but the Malir Development Authority money, which was to be paid out of this £190 million, was also to be paid to the Sindh government or the people of Pakistan.”
Referring to the recently launched luxury apartments project by Riyadh-owned Bahria Town Limited, the Information Minister said that it is very strange that projects are being launched in Dubai despite the press release issued by NAB. have been
Riaz, no stranger to Pakistan’s power corridors before his fall from grace, is currently in the United Arab Emirates, where he plans to develop ‘Bahria Town Dubai’, a luxury housing project that will NAB’s statement also came under scrutiny.
Tarr highlighted that according to the anti-graft watchdog, any money invested in the Dubai project would amount to money laundering.
He also claimed that the UK had recently canceled the visas of Riyadh and his son, which he said was “not possible without criminal proceedings”.
The minister reiterated that the funds required by the government were used to pay the “pre-existing penalty” in the Supreme Court. He reiterated allegations of various cash and other transactions between Imran and Riyadh as part of the deal and termed them as “irrefutable evidence”.
Malik Riaz will not testify
On the other hand, Riaz termed NAB’s action against him as a new demand for blackmail.
It was my decision yesterday and it is my decision today, no matter how much you wrong me, Malik Riaz will not testify. Property Tycoon said On his X account.
Malik Riaz will neither be used against anyone nor blackmailed by anyone. InshAllah the project of Dubai will be successful and will become a symbol of Pakistan in the whole world including Dubai.
Referring to NAB’s press release yesterday, Riaz said: “Today’s unfortunate press release by NAB is actually a new call for blackmail. I am resisting but I am sitting with a storm in my heart. If it breaks, everyone’s illusion will be cast into reality.
“Let’s not forget that all the secrets of the last 25/30 years are protected with evidence.”
“I want to state clearly that years of blackmail, fake cases and greed of officers did not stop me, but because of my principled stand of refusing to be a witness (political pawn), I had to go abroad.” The property tycoon claimed.
Recalling the “hurdles at every step” in doing business in Pakistan, Riaz said multiple hurdles and government blackmail sometimes led to delays in fulfilling promises made to their members.
While NAB yesterday warned the public against investing in its Dubai project, Riaz asserted that “investors from dozens of countries have come to Dubai and are showing exemplary interest in BT.” [Bahria Town] Properties Project”.
He said that the secret of Dubai’s development is the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the absence of an institution like NAB.
“With the determination that our lives and deaths were and will always be for Pakistan, we assure our Pakistani brothers and sisters that we have and will always abide by the laws of every country in the world, including Pakistan.” He said.
Last week, Imran and his wife were convicted in a £190 million case involving the Al Qadir Trust.
In its reference against Imran, the NAB had alleged that the then cabinet had approved a secret deed in 2019 to give away £190 million – which was seized by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and He returned to Pakistan.
The bureau said that Imran and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and hundreds of kanals of land from Bahria Town to legitimize the money.
According to the reference, Riaz’s son Ali transferred 240 kanals of land to Farhat Shahzai, while Zulfi Bukhari acquired the land under a trust, which NAB contended was non-existent at the time of transfer.
Bukhari, a close associate of Imran Khan, recently claimed that the authorities offered him a lucrative deal to testify in the case against the PTI founder, but he refused.
Whoever’s name is involved in this case was offered all sorts of deals against Imran Khan. Fortunately, none of them accepted the offer – neither the businessman, nor me,” he said. free.
