NAB records nine statements in sugar scandal probe
Jun 3, 2021
RAWALPINDI: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recorded nine important statements in connection with the investigation into the sugar scandal, ARY News reported on Thursday.
The anti-corruption watchdog’s Rawalpindi office recorded the statement of former commerce secretary Younus Dagha after being questioned for sugar exports.
It was learnt that Younus Dagha was also questioned regarding the decisions taken in inter-ministry meetings and the finalisation of sugar prices in local and international markets.
The investigators had also recorded the statement of former commerce minister Pervaiz Malik, whereas former provincial minister Samiullah Chaudhry, Mohsin Leghari, Mian Aslam Iqbal were also part of the investigation.
The federal government has withdrawn its petition challenging the Lahore High Court verdict which allowed PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif to travel abroad. Pakistan placed Shehbaz’s name on the Exit Control List on May 17. Ten days before, the Lahore High Court granted permission to Shehbaz to travel abroad for medical treatment. He had told the court that he has been battling cancer and has an appointment with his doctor on May 20 in London. As the UK has imposed a travel ban on Pakistan, Shehbaz was supposed to fly to Qatar, spend 10 days there and then leave for London. He was, however, offloaded from a flight to Doha at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on May 8. O.
Controversy over Ali Zafar’s findings in Tareen case deepens
Controversy over Senator Barrister Ali Zafar’s analysis of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cases against sugar baron Jahangir Khan Tareen deepened further on Wednesday when the PTI rebel group claimed that Mr Zafar had completed his probe and given a ‘clean chit’ to it’s leader (Tareen).
“Barrister Zafar has absolved Mr Tareen of all charges of Satta (sugar pricing manipulation), sugar price hike and any other illegal work in sugar related matters,” MNA Raja Riaz, a spokesperson for Mr Tareen’s group of lawmakers, told Dawn.
“Barrister Zafar had briefed adviser to prime minister on accountability Shahzad Akbar and Jahangir Tareen in a meeting on Tuesday in Islamabad on his findings about the sugar scam probe. Mr Zafar told them that Mr Tareen had not been found guilty of the charges framed by the FIA Lahore,” Mr Riaz said and added that a ‘clean chit’ had been given to Mr Tareen by Mr Zafar