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Former Political Figure Arrested in UK

Former Pakistani 'politically exposed person' arrested in UK money laundering probe
LONDON/KARACHI: Britain's National Crime Agency said on Monday it has arrested a former Pakistani 'politically exposed person' in connection with alleged money laundering in the UK believed to be a result of corruption in Pakistan.

A press release from the NCA's International Corruption Unit said it had arrested the man, in his 40s, and his wife, aged in her 30s in an investigation supported by Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The couple, who were arrested in Surrey, control a UK property portfolio worth more than £8m for which they appear to have no legitimate source of income.

The man and his wife were questioned by NCA officers and have now been released under investigation, said the press release.

Sources told Geo News correspondent Murtaza Ali Shah that the couple was arrested three days ago and kept in detention for as many as 36 hours before being released.

'Arrested person is a former public office-holder'
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shehzad Akbar said that the person detained today is a former public office holder, who fled from Pakistan and invested money in London.

He said that the Pakistani government was assisting the NCA from last seven days, adding that the Pakistani government will request a formal claim if the arrested person's assets are frozen by the UK government.

Akbar said that over 30 similar cases have been identified in the United Arab Emirates.


Pakistan, UK launch partnership to check money laundering



"Prime Minister will raise the issue in his Saudia Arabia visit. We want Britain-like cooperation with the United Arab Emirates," he said. "The arrest was made due to working partnership between Pakistan and United Kingdom."

The state minister said that two cars worth Rs20 million were recovered from the arrestee, adding that the man invested money in businesses in the UK.

"The money was transferred to Switzerland, USA, and UK from Pakistan via Dubai," he said.

Akbar said that the Pakistani government cannot disclose the identity of the person before the conclusion of investigations as according to the UK laws.

The development came in the backdrop of the joint press conference between Law Minister Farogh Naseem and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid held today.

Both the official figures announced that the ‘UK-Pakistan Justice and Accountability Partnership’ would work towards repatriation of illicit finances, recovery of stolen assets and putting a check on money laundering.

The British home secretary said his country would ensure that no person could escape accountability, clarifying that the initiative would be broad-based and was not mean to target individual cases only.

Javid said the new partnership would be headed by a special envoy to expand cooperation between the two sides in curbing corruption. The Director of Economic Crime Unit would be representing the British side, he added.

Asked about the quantum of money laundering, the British Secretary said both the sides reviewed their commitments on sharing evidence to prosecute the criminals.

His name is Farhan Junejo. He is main culprit in TDAP scandal.(dr shahid masood)
 
Ex-PM Gilani, 24 others indicted in TDAP scandal

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KARACHI: After the passage of four years, finally the Federal Anti Corruption Court (FACC) on Thursday indicted former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and 24 others, in 26 cases of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan corruption scandal. Yousuf Raza Gilani and other co-accused denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. The court fixed April 16 to hear the prosecution evidence against Gilani and the other co-accused who have been charged with committing corruption to the tune of billion of rupees. Gilani is alone alleged to have committed a corruption of around Rs7bn.


According to the indictment, around Rs5.9m were transferred to Gilani's bank account. Gilani denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. Gilani counsel pleaded before the court that his client is innocent and has been implicated in false cases due to political victimization.

Former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, former TDAP director general Abdul Karim Dawood Pota, Tariq Iqbalpuri, Muhammad Zubair, Adnan Zamman, Michomal Khatri, Younus Rizwani, Javed Anwar, Najmul Haq, Mirza Karim Beg, Sohail Mehmood,Farhan Ahmed, Asim Rizwani and others were present at time of framing of the charges. As many as 10 accused including Noman Ahmed, Farhan Junejo, Mian Muhammad Tariq, Akhtar Mehmood, Mehar Haroon Rasheed, Allah Dad and Abidullah have been declared as proclaimed offenders.

Later while talking to newsmen, the former prime minister said he had requested the court that he was not aware of any of his front men and wanted to see them.

Commenting on the current political situation, Gilani said now Mian Nawaz Sharif has now admitted that his advocacy in the Memogate case was wrong, but it is of no help now. He further said the meeting between the Chief Justice and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was not a good sign as it was held at a wrong time. He also condemned the prime minister for refusing to meet the Chairman Senate. He said it was not appropriate action on the part of the prime minister which is tantamount to humiliation of the parliament. He said there was nothing wrong with the election of the chairman Senate who was elected by votes, and he had (Gilani) congratulated him on his election.

Replying to a question, Gilani said the ISPR has already denied the contents of the Bajwa Doctrine. He declared that the PPP is duty bound to follow the spirit of the constitution and the law. Commenting on the forthcoming general election, Gilani said he is quite hopeful that Bilawal Bhutto would become the next prime minister.



https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/298370-ex-pm-gilani-24-others-indicted-in-tdap-scandal
 
If true, Pak PM is basically is setting an unprecedented example!!! 99.9% of the leaders in the 3rd world countries are parts of the corrupt nexus of the highest order!!! They sustain on corruption, money laundering etc...
 

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