Headlines

NAB summons Malik Riaz, threatening to unravel £190mn thriller

Published

4 months ago

November 26, 2022

ISLAMABAD: In what might show to set off the unravelling of some of the clouded and murky webs from the Imran Khan administration, actual property tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain has been served with a call-up from the Nationwide Accountability Bureau (NAB).

He has been requested to seem earlier than a mixed investigation group of the accountability watchdog at 11 00 AM on the first of December at NAB’s workplaces within the federal capital. The case because of which he has been summoned goes all the best way again to 2019, and entails accusations of bribery, corruption, and kickbacks in opposition to the federal government of former prime minister Imran Khan.

What’s the case about?

In 2019, the Nationwide Crime Company (NCA) of the UK agreed to a settlement price £190 million with the household of property tycoon Malik Riaz. The settlement was the most important ever within the historical past of the NCA, and because it was out of court docket, got here with the stipulation that it didn’t “signify a discovering of guilt”.

To grasp this, the NCA is a nationwide regulation enforcement company within the UK that investigates cash laundering and illicit funds derived from prison exercise within the UK and overseas. If the NCA is investigating a case outdoors of the UK, it returns the stolen cash to the affected state. So if the company is investigating fraud or cash laundering in Pakistan, it should prosecute or make a settlement within the UK and return the cash to the Pakistani authorities.

That’s what occurred within the case of Malik Riaz. His household had been below a ‘soiled cash’ NCA investigation for some time, which reached its conclusion with the £190 million. Nevertheless, the matter will get murky with the doorway of Particular Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar, who apparently on the behest of Malik satisfied the NCA to settle the matter and return the cash to Pakistan.

On Dec 5, 2019, Mr Akbar introduced at a press convention in Islamabad that £140m had been repatriated to Pakistan, into the Supreme Court docket’s account. When requested how the cash might be transferred to the SC account, he deflected the query saying that the federal government, NCA and Mr Riaz had signed a “deed of confidentiality” which prevented him from elaborating on the matter.

So what occurred to the cash?

We don’t fairly know, and that is the place the net will get actually intricate. Basically, the accusation is that the £140m that was repatriated to Pakistan after Shahzad Akbar’s intervention with the NCA on behalf of Malik Riaz went straight again into the checking account of the property tycoon.

After coming to energy, the incumbent PDM authorities accused former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi of accepting billions in money and tons of of kanals of land from Bahria City in return for the assistance that Khan’s authorities gave to Riaz throughout his investigation by the NCA. Inside minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that Bahria City entered an settlement and gave a 458-kanal land with an on-paper worth of Rs 530 million to a belief owned by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The land was donated to Al-Qadir Belief, and the settlement bore signatures of the true property’s donors and Bushra Bibi.

Sanaullah claimed that Imran’s aide Shehzad Akbar had “settled” the whole case, whereas the Rs 50 billion-which belonged to the nationwide treasury-was adjusted in opposition to Bahria City’s legal responsibility. He stated Imran had acquired a graft of Rs 5 billion as “his share” by Akbar earlier than the case was wrapped. He additional stated that Bahria City, after its Rs 50 billion was protected by the then PTI authorities, had allotted 458 Kanal land with an on-paper worth of Rs 530 million to a belief owned by Imran and his spouse. He additional stated that one other 240 Kanals have been transferred to “Farah Shehzadi” generally referred to as Farah-a shut pal of Bushra Bibi.

It’s these 458-kanals which have now come below the scrutiny of the accountability bureau. Within the call-up discover served to Malik Riaz dated the twenty fourth of November, he has been requested to seem with documentary proof to file his assertion relating to buy of 458 Kanals 04 Marlas 58 sq. toes located in Hadbast No. 77 at Mauza Barkala, Tehsil Sohawa, District Jhelum.

The apex anti-graft physique required Malik Riaz Hussain to current an entire file relating to Equally, he has been requested to supply the deed by which M/s Bahria City donated the above stated land to Al-Qadir Belief alongwith income paperwork. Likewise, particulars of different property/donation (if any) transferred by him, any of his members of the family of M/s Bahria City in favour of Al-Qadir Belief or any of its trustees, whether or not by sale/buy, reward, donation or every other mode. Furthermore, every other related data/file.

“You’re suggested that failing to adjust to this discover, could entail penal penalties as supplied in Part 2 of the schedule of NAO, 1999,” reads the discover. The discover was issued by Muhammad Faisal Qureshi, Extra Director (Workers), NAB Rawalpindi.

NAB had earlier despatched notices to the previous premier Imran Khan’s 21 cupboard members together with Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Murad Saeed, Pervaiz Khattak, Shafqat Mehmood, Shireen Mazari, Ali Haider Zaidi and Hammad Azhar, Dr Shireen Mazari, Shafqat Mahmood, Asad Umar for recording of their statements. NAB additionally summoned Ali Riaz Malik, the son of Malik Riaz who’s the founding father of Bahria City.

NAB additionally summoned Murad Saeed and Ghulam Sarwar Khan on October 11, Pervaiz Khattak and Ali Riaz Malik on October 12, Zubaida Jalal and Hammad Azhar on October 13, Shafqat Mehmood and Shireen Mazari on October 14, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Ejaz Shah on October 17, Ali Amin Gandapur and Farogh Naseem on October 18, Ali Zaidi and Khusro Bakhtiar on October 19, Azam Khan Swati and Asad Umar on October 20, Umar Ayub and Muhammad Mian Somro on October 21, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Fawad Chaudhry on October 24 and Mehboob Sultan and Faisal Vawda October 25 for investigation and recording of statements.

Headlines

PM constitutes committee for transferring DISCOs to provinces

Published

17 hours ago

March 19, 2023

Pakistaneo.com

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is mulling over the switch of energy distribution corporations (DISCOs) to provincial governments for which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted an 11-member committee.

In line with sources, the prime minister has constituted a committee which is able to current its suggestions inside 10 days.

The committee contains Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Defence (Chair), Khurram Dastgir Khan, Minister for Energy, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Commerce, Musadik Masood Malik, Minister of State for Petroleum, provincial chief ministers and ministers nominated by CMs, Dr. Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, Particular Assistant to the Prime Minister on Authorities Effectiveness, Finance Secretary, Secretary Energy (Secretary of the Committee), Secretary Privatization Fee, Secretary Legislation & Justice, Provincial Chief Secretaries.

The committee might co-opt member(s) from regulatory our bodies such because the Nationwide Electrical Energy Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Securities & Alternate Fee of Pakistan (SECP), Competitors Fee of Pakistan (CCP) and so on. for enter on any regulatory facet if required,” sources mentioned..

Sharing particulars of the Phrases of Reference (ToRs) of the committee, sources mentioned that it shall study the present constitutional framework for the switch from federal authorities to respective provincial governments. It shall additionally chalk-out the record of authorized necessities that should be complied, and if wanted, recommend a authorized framework particular for the aim.

Likewise, the committee shall study necessities of NEPRA with regard to the change of possession of its licensees and the steps concerned therein.

Furthermore, the committee shall study regulatory necessities of different regulators together with the SECP, SBP, and CCP and description the compliances required for the switch of possession of fairness.

Revenue additionally learnt that the committee shall draft intent, ideas and the scope of the framework settlement to be signed between the federal and provincial governments concerning the mechanism for the switch.

Equally, it shall advocate the ideas and parameters of switch by means of an agreed transitional plan finally resulting in full provincial duty for the sustainable monetary functioning of the DISCOs.

It’s additional learnt from sources that Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister has despatched a letter dated 17th March 2023 to the Secretary Energy and all involved and knowledgeable about this vital growth.

Earlier, NEPRA, in its efficiency analysis report of the DISCOs and Thermal Energy Vegetation for FY 2021-22, had declared that current DISCOs arrange wouldn’t be capable of ship beneath the given circumstances. The authority had beneficial structural modifications such because the closure of PPMC, provincialisation, privatisation, bifurcation of huge DISCOs, and a discount of the union’s affect.

In line with NEPRA’s efficiency analysis report of DISCOs and Thermal Energy Vegetation for FY22, a lack of Rs 292 billion throughout was precipitated to the nationwide exchequer on account of T&D losses and fewer recoveries.

The authority mentioned that the variety of fatalities each for workers and public occurred in all distribution corporations have been 196 which is round 11 p.c greater than the earlier yr.

The best variety of deaths occurred in PESCO (39) adopted by HESCO (35), IESCO (27) and Ok-Electrical (27) throughout FY 2021-22. Additional it’s noticed that a lot of the fatalities of those distribution corporations pertain to most of the people. Equally, the bottom variety of deaths occurred in FESCO adopted by MEPCO and QESCO.

NEPRA has concluded that the efficiency of DISCOs all through this era remained under par and energy sector reforms couldn’t be achieved.

Headlines

One other electrical energy worth hike by Ok-Electrical

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2023

Pakistaneo.com

Prospects of Ok-Electrical (KE) are prone to face one other energy tariff hike by Rs 1.66 per unit on account of Gas Cost Adjustment (FCA) for the month of February 2023.

KE has filed a request with Nationwide Electrical Energy Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for month-to-month FCA for the month of February 2023 beneath Multi 12 months Tariff (MYT) 2017-2023. The listening to is scheduled to be held on 30th March 2023 on this regard.

In keeping with sources, if the NEPRA approves Rs 1.66 improve in energy tariff beneath the pinnacle month-to-month FCA then Karachiites will generate a further income to the tune of Rs 1.86 billion.

NEPRA by means of a public listening to discover has invited all of the affected events to lift any objections as permissible beneath the regulation.

It’s pertinent to say that MYT willpower prescribes mechanisms for adjustment within the MYT on a month-to-month and quarterly foundation.

Headlines

FBR warns Megaplus of blacklisting

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2023

Pakistaneo.com

Islamabad: Federal Board of Income (FBR) has warned Megaplus, one of many largest and oldest Dell licensed distributors in Pakistan, to blacklist its proceedings on failure to produce 4,300 desktop computer systems.

In response to Revenue’s sources, FBR has written a second letter to Megaplus with regard to supplying 4,300 desktop computer systems.

A yr in the past in April 2022, Megaplus efficiently received the bid for supplying 4,300 laptop programs value Rs 902 million. The supply of kit was speculated to have been accomplished inside 18-20 weeks after issuance of the acquisition order but it surely has nonetheless not been made. Sources additional mentioned that Megaplus has neither offered a supply schedule nor submitted a efficiency assure. It additionally have to be talked about that CEO of Megaplus, Asim Bukhari, personally met with a member of IT division in FBR on Dec 26, 2022 and warranted supply of desktop computer systems

Final month FBR directed the corporate to furnish a supply schedule and submit a efficiency assure newest by Feb 21, 2023 and warned of blacklisting the proceedings if the deadline will not be met, in accordance with Rule 18 of PPRA Guidelines 2004.

Revenue additionally discovered in a letter dated December 21, 2022, Megaplus reaffirmed that it intends to satisfy all its authorized obligations below the contract and likewise promised to submit a efficiency assure.

Amidst this, competitor Lenovo has already completed manufacturing of 4,300 desktops for FBR that are prepared for pickup from their UAE warehouse.

Courtroom case

Just lately, Megaplus has additionally filed a petition in court docket to cease FBR from taking any antagonistic motion together with encashment of securities, blacklisting breach and so forth. The corporate additionally requested the court docket to grant a call in its favor for the termination of the contract of the order of 4,300 laptop programs.

Megaplus believes that as a result of non-issuance of Letter of Credit score by the state financial institution, well timed execution of contract couldn’t be finished. Subsequently, carrying the contract forward would trigger enormous monetary losses to the corporate.

The corporate additionally added that in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines 2004 it had submitted a financial institution assure of Rs 58,000 on a bid safety of Rs 11,580,000 on August 8, 2022, and requested the quantity to be reimbursed.