Pervez Khattak, the former close aide to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, has said that then-accountability aide Shehzad Akbar lied about 190 million pounds UK NCA settlement agreement to get it approved by the federal cabinet in 2019.
Khattak, who recently parted ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over May 9 violence to form his own breakaway faction PTI-Parliamentarian, told Geo News’ Saleem Safi that Akbar had deceived the cabinet on the issue of deal with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) during the previous government.
Khattak said that the cabinet members were shown sealed envelope during the meeting and told that the ill-gotten assets seized in London will be repatriated to Pakistan’s government.
Khattak, the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister, also said the ex-accountability aide had claimed that the British government would deposit around 190 million pounds in the national treasury under the agreement.
“In this case, we made a mistake,” he admitted.
Responding to a question regarding the Tosha Khana scandal against PTI chief Imran Khan, Khattak said selling state gifts in violation of all laws was a “shameful act”.
The British government, in 2019, uncovered a whopping £140 million in an account owned by a renowned Pakistani real estate tycoon's son, and his wife from 2018 to 2019.
The NCA swiftly froze the funds, suspecting the criminal origins of the proceeds.
Surprisingly, neither the individual nor his wife challenged the account freeze. Following proper legal procedures, the UK returned the laundered funds to Pakistan's government in 2019.
This decision was announced through a joint press release by the Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) and the NCA.
The case subsequently made its way to Pakistan’s federal cabinet on December 3, 2019, where it was presented by Shahzad Akbar in a sealed envelope.
The purpose of the presentation was to discuss the return of the funds, which would be channelled into an account overseen by the registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
This particular account was associated with the recovery of a staggering Rs460 billion from the same property tycoon, in connection with fines imposed on a housing scheme in Karachi.
“Imran Khan approved the settlement without allowing his cabinet members to read it,” a source familiar with the investigation told The News.
Investigations have revealed that as part of an agreement to return the laundered money, the property tycoon offered a substantial compensation package.
This included the transfer of 458 Kanal, 4 Marla and 58 square feet of land in Jhelum, alongside cash amounting to Rs285 million, which was destined for the Al-Qadir Trust.
The trustees of Al-Qadir Trust included Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and his senior advisers Zulfiqar Bukhari and Babar Awan. However, it is worth noting that Awan and Bukhari's positions were subsequently revoked on April 22, 2020.
Information minister says PTI has led protests with armed groups previously as well
JUI-F Punjab spox says legislation is being deliberately delayed to "appease" international powers
“Fascism has trampled on Pakistan's Constitution, law, morality and humanity,” says KP CM
Huge rescue operation involving vessels, aircraft underway in sea near island of Gavdos
Head of committee says Justice Shah's suggestion have already been incorporated in draft rules
Ex-PML-N leader Abbasi slams Punjab govt for "demolishing buildings in Murree"
