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Business Recorder
26-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
First major arrest made under AMLA: Probe ordered into ‘Future Vision' scam: DG NAB
LAHORE In pursuance of the public welfare-oriented vision of Chairman NAB, the National Accountability Bureau, Lahore convened mega open court chaired by Director General NAB Lahore, Ghulam Safdar Shah. The event was marked by the substantial participation of victims from various high-profile corruption scandals, reflecting public confidence in NAB's redressal mechanisms. Victims of Future Vision scam, Bahria Cuisines scam, Omega Housing scandal, New Lahore City, Pak-Arab Housing Society, Khayaban-e-Amin Housing Society, Eden Garden, and Professional Cooperative Housing Society earnestly approached the forum to present their grievances by seeking institutional support and intervention for their redressal. While addressing the open court, DG NAB Lahore, Ghulam Safdar Shah reaffirmed the Bureau's unwavering commitment to safeguarding public interest and upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice. He stated that NAB Lahore has executed its first major arrest under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), marking a pivotal milestone in the Bureau's pursuit against financial misappropriation. He further disclosed that, in response to a multitude of complaints received from the general public, a direct inquiry has been formally authorised in the Future Vision Scam. However, in order to prevent further financial exploitation, categorical instructions have been issued that individuals operating fraudulent Ponzi schemes be immediately placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). The DG underlined that all operations are being undertaken in strict compliance with the directives of the Honourable Chairman NAB, whose guidance remains instrumental in driving the institution's citizen-centric agenda. NAB's resolve remains firm to bring all culpable elements to justice and to ensure that the aggrieved parties are duly compensated, he added. He further remarked that, unlike prior practices, the current model of Khuli Katcheri encourages direct interface between victims and housing society administrations, thereby facilitating pragmatic and result-oriented dispute resolution. Weekly monitoring of progress on individual cases is being conducted under his supervision is meant to maintain fair momentum and institutional vigilance. Owing to the relentless efforts and dedicated interventions of NAB Lahore, billions of rupees have been recovered, benefitting thousands of citizens who had fallen prey to fraudulent schemes. The victims present on the occasion expressed profound appreciation for the dynamic leadership and proactive measures taken by DG NAB Lahore, and acknowledged that the regular convening of open courts, is a reflection of Chairman NAB's unwavering commitment to public facilitation and institutional transparency. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Blasphemy cases: IHC orders govt to constitute commission within 30 days
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), Tuesday, directed the federal government to constitute a commission within 30 days to probe blasphemy cases. A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued the directions in petitions filed by the victim families seeking formation of judicial commission to investigate the cases. The bench directed the federal government to form a commission within 30 days to investigate blasphemy cases. It also directed that the commission formed by the federal government must complete its proceedings within four months. In this matter, the victim families, represented by advocates, Abid Saqi and Usman Warraich, had petitioned the high court for the formation of a judicial commission. They mentioned a report by the Punjab Special Branch titled 'The Blasphemy Business'. The report alleged that a suspicious gang had been entrapping youth in blasphemy cases and extorting money from them after filing complaints with the FIA in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. During the hearing, an additional director of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency informed the court that Komal Ismail's identity card had been blocked and four SIM cards are registered on Komal's ID card but none of the numbers have been active since November. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan noted that the petition was filed on September 14 and Komal went missing in November. The additional director of NCCIA assured the court that Komal has not left the country and remains in Pakistan. When the judge asked that if Komal's name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), the Additional Director confirmed that it had and search efforts are continuing. Justice Ishaq said that Komal's safety is a serious concern and asked what measures the agency could take to protect her life. Advocate Hadi Ali Chatha informed the bench that the court had requested WhatsApp data for three numbers from cellular network companies. However, lawyers representing the cellular companies stated that WhatsApp call detail records (CDRs) are not available, and phone number CDRs are only retained for one year. The judge said that if the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has the authority, the commission could request the information, stressing the importance due to the lives at stake. After hearing the arguments, Justice Ishaq said that the court's role was to determine whether sufficient material exists to form the commission and accepted the petitions directing the government to form the commission within 30 days and the commission must complete its work within four months but may request additional time from the court if needed. In the petition, the petitioners asserted that this gang is the complainant in nearly 90 per cent of blasphemy cases registered by the FIA. It added that operating under the name 'Legal Commission on Blasphemy,' the group is said to be consisted of both men and women targeting poor and lower middle class Muslim families. They revealed that a concerning pattern emerges in the FIRs: out of over 400 alleged victims, 70 per cent are young men and women in their twenties or younger while many of the victims are professionals, including engineers, Hafiz-e-Quran, and degree holders in various fields. They further said that they had approached the federal government with a formal request dated August 4, 2024, seeking the formation of an inquiry commission on the Special Branch's report. However, no action has been taken to date. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC defers Swati travel plea hearing
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has deferred the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Senator Azam Swati's petition seeking removal of his name from the Passport Control List and permission to travel abroad. A two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal adjourned the case until July 29, stating that no interim relief would be granted for now. The court emphasized that granting travel permission at this stage would be equivalent to offering full relief prematurely. During the hearing, Barrister Waqar represented Swati, while Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali appeared on behalf of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), along with a representative from the Passport and Immigration Department. Barrister Waqar informed the court that Azam Swati was offloaded at Islamabad Airport despite voluntarily appearing before courts in all pending cases. He stressed that Swati has substantial assets within Pakistan and has no intention to flee the country, especially as he is also a candidate for the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa scheduled for July 21. The NAB prosecutor responded that a major corruption inquiry is underway involving billions of rupees. He revealed that a suspicious transaction of Rs600 million was traced to Swati from an account linked to the Kohistan land scandal. Although Swati claims the funds originated from a 2016 land sale, NAB maintains the money was transferred in 2024, raising serious concerns. The court was also told that Swati failed to provide satisfactory responses to NAB's questionnaire. Justice Asadullah questioned the rationale behind placing Swati's name on the control list based on an ongoing inquiry, not a trial. The prosecutor compared the case to the infamous Ayyan Ali case, warning that premature international travel could hinder investigations, as seen in past instances. Swati's lawyer argued that his client is cooperating fully, has appeared in cases, and previously had his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) by the same court. He reiterated that Swati's substantial domestic assets indicate no intent to abscond. The court was also informed that the next NAB appearance is scheduled for July 16. The immigration official clarified that names are added to the list based on recommendations from investigative agencies. Following the hearing, Azam Swati spoke to the media, stating, "If a trial can be filed against my leader and his wife, if Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi could be accused of cattle theft, then surely I can be tried for selling my own home."
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
LHC directs removal of name from ECL
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the secretary interior to remove the name of petitioner Shahid Javed from the Exit Control List (ECL). Earlier a law officer told the court that the petitioner's name was put on the ECL on the recommendation of Home Secretary Punjab. The court asked the law officer whether the recommendation of a provincial officer is binding on the federal government. The law officer informed the court that the petitioner is on bail and could slip abroad. The court said how the government could restrain a person on bail from going abroad. The court said if he would not come back then his bail will be canceled and directed to remove the petitioner's name from the ECL. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
DG NAB Lahore listens to public complaints
LAHORE: The Director General (DG) NAB Lahore, Muhammad Ahtram Dar, convened a monthly open hearing session in NAB Lahore which was participated by hundreds of victims affected by Ponzi (investment) schemes and illegal housing societies. The forum witnessed aggrieved complainants of Future Vision scam, Al-Rehman Garden Phase-4, Omega Housing Society, New Lahore City, Khayaban-e-Amin Housing Society, Formanities Housing Society, Elite Town Housing Society, and Grand Avenue Housing Society. DG NAB Lahore attentively listened to all public grievances and issued prompt directives for their resolution. Responding to the complainants of Future Vision scandal, DG NAB ordered an immediate direct inquiry and instructed the initiation of proceedings to place the prime accused on Exit Control List (ECL) along with publication of advertisements in national dailies. Regarding the complaints against Al-Rehman Garden (Phase-4) management, the DG NAB allotted one month deadline to investigation team for bringing conclusion of the case and to submit a comprehensive report. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
