From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday summoned four accused in the assets beyond means case of Farhat Shehzadi alias Farah Khan, a close friend of former first lady Bushra Bibi. According to sources, the accountability bureau sent notices to Farah Khan’s manager, cashier and bankers. All the four people were directed to appear before the NAB on May 30 along with the relevant records, sources added. The notices were issued to four accused, including Mazahir Baig, Waqar, Asif and Munir. Sources claimed that Director General (DG) NAB Lahore had approved the notices to summon the people in Farah Khan’s case.
Earlier on May 10, it was learnt that the NAB had sought details of Farah Khan’s assets, bank accounts and transactions from the various concerned departments.
The NAB Lahore had issued letters to various departments to provide records of Farah Khan.
Sources had said that the anti-corruption watchdog had sought records of Farah Khan’s properties from the deputy commissioners of different districts and also issued letters to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Excise Department.
In April, the anti-graft watchdog had stated in a press statement that the DG NAB Lahore was directed to conduct an inquiry against Farah Khan over allegations of illegal assets beyond known sources of income, money laundering and maintaining various accounts in the name of different businesses.
“Huge turnover amounting to Rs847 million has been found in Farah’s account during last three years, which does not commensurate with her stated account profile,” the anti-corruption body had said in a press release and added that these credits were received in Farah Khan’s personal account and withdrawn immediately within a short time period.
The NAB had said: “While reviewing the income tax returns of Farhat Shahzadi, it was allegedly observed that her assets were significantly increased from the year 2018 onwards for unknown reasons.”
