ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has ordered Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan to deposit Rs29.5 million for her offshore assets.
During the hearing of a suo moto notice regarding the foreign assets on Thursday, Aleema Khan and her lawyer Salman Akram Raja appeared before a three-member bench headed by the chief justice.
At the onset of the hearing, the top judge asked the premier’s sister about the worth of the property at the time of purchase to which she replied that the property bought for $370,000.
When asked by the chief justice when the property was bought, Aleema Khan replied that she had bought it in 2008 and sold it last year.
Responding to Justice Nisar’s query whether she purchased the property from her own money, Aleema said she took a loan from the bank while 50% of the total amount was her own money.
Aleema’s counsel Salman Akram Raja informed the bench that the details of bank transactions and accounts were submitted in court.
To this, the chief justice remarked that Aleema Khan should deposit Rs18 million within a week.
Upon this, the commissioner inland revenue informed the bench that according to evaluations, Aleema has to file tax returns worth Rs29.5 million.
The chief justice then ordered Aleema Khan to pay the said amount, however, remarked that Aleema Khan will have the right of appeal.
The top judge also warned that if the deposit is not made, then her property will be seized.
During the hearing, the top court also inspected other cases and the chief justice wondered as to why the court has to intervene in every other issue.
“Why the institutions don’t perform duties on their own,” the top judge inquired and observed that the total amount involved in the case is Rs 3000 million.
