ISLAMABAD – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman has approved a deal for the release of seven accused in the fake bank accounts case under a plea bargain worth Rs10.6 billion.
The accused, including close friends of former president Asif Ali Zardari, were facing a case relating to misappropriation of land owned by the government of Sindh and the Pakistan Steel Mills.
Under the deal, Abdul Ghani surrendered 37.5 acres of industrial land and also expressed willingness to deposit over Rs2bn whereas Mohammad Touseef surrendered 37.5 acres of industrial land and offered to deposit Rs2.09bn.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/fake-accounts-case-zardari-bilawal-and-sindh-cm-among-172-suspects-placed-on-ecl-complete-list/
Moreover, Amir is willing to hand over 40 acres besides Rs2.2b and Siraj Shahid agreed to give 50 acres and Rs2.78bn.
Furthermore, Hammad Shahid would be handing over 34.2 acres of residential land and Rs497 million while Tariq Baig would be surrendering 34 acres residential land and Rs491m.
Mohammad Iqbal would be handing over 33 acres of residential land and Rs476m under the plea bargain deal.
Well-placed sources say the NAB chairman has approved the plea bargain deal and the matter will now be placed before an accountability court for final approval.
Besides the seven individuals, Manzoor Qadir Kaka, a former executive director of the Sindh Building Control Authority is also an accused in this case.
The accountability watchdog accused them of misuse of authority, illegal award of government land and misappropriation.
The seven were among 172 people mentioned in a report which the Federal Investigation Agency (FITT) submitted to the Supreme Court during the hearing of the fake bank accounts case.
Former president Asif Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur are behind bars in connection with the case.
Pakistan Peoples Party leaders deny any charges in the case and equate the ongoing proceedings with political victimization.
