FIA launches inquiry against Farhatullah Babar
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated an inquiry against former PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar for his alleged involvement in corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and the acquisition of illegal assets.
The inquiry is based on a set of 18-20 questions provided to Babar, seeking his response. The investigation pertains to his tenure as a senator.
According to sources, the inquiry was triggered by a private complaint filed by an individual from Rawalpindi. Following the complaint, a formal notice was issued to Babar, and he was called to appear before the FIA's Anti-Corruption Circle.
The former senator appeared before the agency before Eidul Fitr, where he was questioned about his income and assets. However, the matter was deferred until after the holidays.
After Eid, Babar once again visited the FIA's Anti-Corruption Circle in Islamabad, where he was presented with a detailed questionnaire covering his assets, tax records, and other relevant information. He was advised by his lawyer to submit his responses after reviewing the questions. In the meantime, Babar requested a copy of the complaint filed against him and details about the complainant, but the FIA asked him to wait.
Babar then left the FIA office, and a statement from him in a national newspaper later clarified that he had not held any government position since 2013. He mentioned working as a spokesperson for President Asif Ali Zardari.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Israeli attacks secret Houthi meeting site in Yemen
An Israeli airstrike early Sunday hit a house in southern Sanaa, Yemen, where a clandestine meeting of senior Houthi leaders was reportedly underway. Houthi security forces quickly cordoned off the house and ambulances were seen transporting casualties, according to Xinhua News Agency. Anti-Houthi media claimed the meeting was led by Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Supreme Political Council, and Military Chief of Staff Abdulkarim al-Ghamari. Other unconfirmed reports suggest top officials, including Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, Revolutionary Committee Head Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, and Military Intelligence chief Abu Ali al-Hakim, may have been present on the site. Xinhua cited eyewitnesses who saw at least 10 charred bodies near the blast site. The Houthi group has not issued a formal statement. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have been launching missiles towards Israel since November 2023 in support of Palestinians as the war in Gaza goes on. The group recently vowed to escalate long-range attacks following Israel's attacks on Iran since June 13. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) aimed to eliminate Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari in Sunday morning's operation, according to the Jerusalem Post. However, IDF has yet to officially comment. Meanwhile, Iran activated its air defences in several regions on Saturday and Israel told its citizens to take shelter ahead of a fresh barrage of missiles, as the arch-foes exchanged massive strikes in their fiercest confrontation in history. The fresh attacks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hit "every target of the regime", and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned further strikes would draw "a more severe and powerful response". As global calls for de-escalation grew, a new round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran scheduled for Sunday was cancelled, with Iran saying it could not negotiate while under attack from Israel. Israel's operation, which began early Friday, has targeted Iran's air defences and hit key nuclear and military sites, killing dozens of people, including top army commanders and atomic scientists, according to Tehran. On Saturday night, Israel said it was simultaneously working to intercept a new salvo of missiles fired from Iran, while also carrying out strikes on "military targets in Tehran". The Israeli military told citizens to heed air alerts and "enter a protected space and remain there until further notice". Iran, meanwhile, announced a "new wave" of attacks targeting Israel. Tehran's UN ambassador said 78 people were killed and 320 wounded in Friday's first wave of Israeli strikes. Israel said three people were killed and 76 wounded by Iran's retaliatory drone and missile barrage overnight, which lit up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
AMLA: minister says FBR powers to be reviewed
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Saturday that the issuance of notices to the business community under Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) is a very serious matter and the government would review AML powers available to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). During review of the Finance Bill (2025-26) at the Senate Standing Committee on Finance on Saturday, Chairman of the committee Senator Salim Mandviwala took up the issue of AML notices to the taxpayers by the FBR. The issue came to the light when FBR Member Customs (Policy) explained creation of proposed Directorate General of Intelligence and Risk Management Customs under the Finance Bill 2025-26. The proposed Directorate would have the powers to exercise under the AML Act. FBR makes first major 'Benami Property' seizure in Islamabad, vows to expand crackdown Salim Mandviwala expressed serious concern over the powers to the Directorate General of Intelligence and Risk Management Customs for taking action against taxpayers under the AML law. 'We have received many complaints on issuance of illegal notices to the business community under the AML', he said. All these notices issued in the past were withdrawn on the intervention of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. These powers should not be given to the FBR officials as they were misused in the past, Mandviwala said. Finance Minister assured the committee that it would look into the matter and would examine FBR powers under the AML law. In a landmark move, the committee approved sweeping amendments to the Customs Act, 1969, targeting the issue of tempered and tampered chassis vehicles. As per the new law, any vehicle found with tampered chassis number, Cut-and-weld modifications or Re-stamped chassis will be presumed smuggled even if registered with any Motor Registration Authority. FBR Chairman Langrial clarified that such vehicles will be confiscated and destroyed. They won't be auctioned again. 'In principle, these vehicles should be set on fire to avoid resale of parts.' The Standing Committee recommended that the confiscation and destruction of such vehicles must occur within 30 days of seizure. FBR Chairman said that the tampered vehicles cannot be allowed to be auctioned. Even if the tempered vehicles have been registered by the Motor Registration Authority, they are liable to be confiscation. Chairman of the committee asked FBR to share number of confiscated vehicles used by the customs officials. A committee member questioned that why customs department collected duties and taxes on tempered vehicles during legalization of non-duty paid cars under the last amnesty scheme. FBR Member Customs explained that new section ('187A. Presumption as to legal character of vehicle), any vehicle is detained or seized under this Act or the rules made there under and such vehicle upon forensic examination is found to be having a tampered chassis number or cut and weld chassis or chassis number filled with welding material or re-stamped or body changed, such vehicle shall be presumed to be smuggled, even if registered with any Motor Registration Authority, and shall be liable to confiscation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Sustainable growth: ‘Agri experts should come up with doable policy interventions'
FAISALABAD: In the face of deteriorating agriculture growth depicted in the Economic Survey of Pakistan, agricultural experts should come up with doable policy interventions for sustainable agricultural growth, said Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Addressing the concluding session of four-week Agricultural Policy Capacity Building Workshop on 'Exploring Perspectives, Analytical Tools, Emerging Trends and Effective Communication in Agriculture' at the Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Auditorium, Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the researchers should devise the policies recommendation with the special focus on productivity enhancement, crops diversification, soil health and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, sustainable markets structure, and revitalization of farmers cooperatives, to benefit the farming community and ensure food security. He said that recent Economic Survey has presented the grim picture of the sector that needs immediate attention of the scientists, industry and other stakeholders. Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, said that declining agriculture growth would provoke deep crises that must be addressed with research-based intervention and solid policy measures and its implementation that are crucial to feed the ever-increasing population and alleviate poverty. He called for greater role of the Universities in generating sound evidence and policy recommendations for all sectors of the economy. He quoted some social media reports of very low okra price in Kamalia on Eid-ul-Azha due to low demand compared to supply. He attributed this to lack of value addition options compared with the advance countries and emphasized on the need for research to translate into goods, services and solutions to societal issues. He said that PHEC is committed for the transformation of education and research with special focus on academic opportunities and challenges in age of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. Dr Muhammad Ejaz Qureshi, faculty at the Australian National University, said that the workshop is aimed at enhancing analytical, communication, and leadership capabilities in agricultural policy research; strengthen policy design and implementation skills; improve the quality of research proposals and competitive grants aligned with national development agendas; promote strategic communication through policy briefs and evidence-based storytelling; encourage an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to agricultural policy reform. Dr Qureshi appreciated the initiative of the University management for arranging such useful activities for the faculty and the students. He stressed upon the need to transfer these ideas into actions by working together to improve agriculture policies through policy research and generating evidence. Bangladesh Agriculture University Prof Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam spoke on agribusiness and food policy, particularly addressing value chain development and nutrition security in emerging economies. He said to improve food security in developing countries, we need to build strong value chains in agriculture. Connecting farmers to the markets can help increase income and ensure better nutrition for communities. Dr Sumaira Ejaz Qureshi, faculty at University of Canberra in Australia, discussed about translating complex data into sound policy decisions through a case study of student and faculty feedback to enhance quality of education. Dr Zeena Alsamarra'I, University of Canberra explained that future of education in the era of AI and digital transformation. She focused on institutionalizing Generative AI and making sound policies so that the academic community can get benefit from positive side of AI driven technological disruption. She emphasized capacity building of faculty and the students in age of digital transformation. Prof Dr Asif Kamran, Director of Agriculture Policy and Outreach, explained that the Agriculture Policy, Law and Governance Center at UAF is committed to continuous engagement with policy think tanks and policy makers and to build the capacity of the students and faculty to conduct policy research and craft sound policy recommendations based on their research. Prof Kamran acknowledged funding support from Endowment Fund Secretariat, USDA; Pak Korea Nutrition Centre (PKNC), Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) under CSIRO implemented project entitled 'Climate resilient and adaptive water allocation in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
