PPP's Qasim Zia enters plea bargain, granted bail by LHC

Tauqir Ghumman Published September 23, 2015

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday accepted the bail application of senior PPP leader Qasim Zia, in a fraud case pertaining to Rs80 million.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on August 8 had arrested Zia, who is also an Olympics gold medalist and former president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), on charges of committing fraud through his brokerage house.

Read: NAB arrests PPP's Qasim Zia in fraud case

A two-member bench of LHC comprising Justice Mehmood Maqbool Bajwa and Justice Farrukh Gulzar heard the bail plea filed by Zia and ordered his release while accepting the application.

During the hearing, NAB additional deputy prosecutor general Arif Mehmood Rana informed the court that Zia had agreed to return the money which he had embezzled as a director of Ali Usman Securities through a plea bargain.

The accused had filed an application to return Rs22.2 million of appropriated money in the Rs80 million scandal, he said.

The NAB official added that Zia's plea bargain application has been approved by Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.

Rana said that Zia had already submitted a bank draft of Rs8 million, hence NAB has no objection over his release.

If the accused fails to abide by the agreement, NAB reserves the right to arrest him again, the prosecutor added.

After hearing the arguments, the bench ordered the release of Qasim Zia against a surety bond of Rs100,000. Zia was later released from the camp jail on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, Dawn newspaper reported that Zia through his counsel stated in the bail petition that he had left the company “Ali Usman Brokerage” seven years before it committed the alleged fraud. The counsel said NAB officials kept his client in custody for 16 days but failed to establish his involvement in the scam. He said the case was a result of mere political victimisation.

The PPP had protested over the arrest of Zia, terming it political victimisation. PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had termed the arrest of Zia a “calculated move to discredit political leaders”.

Know more: PPP smells a rat in cases against Qasim, Bangash

Zia functioned as Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly during his earlier term from 2002-2007.

He was appointed president of Pakistan Hockey Federation in 2008 and served as the federation's chief till 2013. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the field of hockey, and also remained a member of the Pakistan's national hockey team from 1980-87.

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Muhammad Iqbal

Sep 23, 2015 02:16pm

What is Plea Bargaining. I will tell you. This is the tool invented by the bureaucrats. A thief entered your house and looted 10 million. He was caught by police. Police arranged his release with your consent to take back 9 million. One of such receipient of Plea bargain of a famous Bank scandal has erected a Dubai like Mall in saddar and his future generations need not have to work. NAB must consider to remove this "Plea Bargain" drama from its constitution. Those who are plundering public money should not be given any concession at any cost.

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Tiger

Sep 23, 2015 02:17pm

Hence proved he make the money through corruption.

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Ali

Sep 23, 2015 02:23pm

he should be put behind bars and locked away for good, or else they will keep looting once the government changes :)

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Shazadjp

Sep 23, 2015 02:25pm

Only a small fish NAB should find who was behind of 80 million scam and bring all of them to justice. Too little to appreciate.

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tahir

Sep 23, 2015 02:29pm

He should be banned from politics,( by holding any office/ contesting elections of any kind) and also issuing any statement regarding plea bargain and NAB and not to leave the country for a period of 10 years.

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TSS

Sep 23, 2015 02:30pm

Disgrace ! Nobody in their rightful mind would ever pay a single penny if he / she isn't guilty of the crime. The fact that he has agreed to pay PKR 22.2 Mn of his 'hard earned money' on account of plea bargain is sufficient evidence that he was and is guilty of the crime.

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Saleem

Sep 23, 2015 02:36pm

The accused had filed an application to return Rs22.2 million of appropriated money in the Rs80 million scandal........... So corruption is indeed a lucrative business. If you are caught then plea bargain with NAB and return a small portion of it back. What a shameful process it is and I wonder how courtss are letting incompetent NAB do this loot. These criminals should pay not only the total looted sum, but also interested on-top of it. A jail time should be a must in any corruption case. As that is the only deterrence for not doing it in the future.

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Dr .Javaid

Sep 23, 2015 02:37pm

PPP leader guilty proven. Would he be banned for future elections or our ECP will allow him to contest?

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Common Citizen

Sep 23, 2015 02:38pm

22 million for a 80 million corruption case. What is NAB doing. This Plea Bargain rule is idiotic.

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Reality Check

Sep 23, 2015 02:47pm

IF he stole the money and is returning it why isnt he going to prison?And IF he's innocent why is he returning the money and which money is he returning?

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M.Saeed

Sep 23, 2015 02:54pm

Plea bargain is a clear corruption-fixing !

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Parvez

Sep 23, 2015 03:01pm

NAB is a joke.....seal and IF you get caught, pay back a little and go your merry way. Laws made by crooked ..... to benefit the crooked.

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Nadeem

Sep 23, 2015 03:03pm

No bargain!!! Put him, the criminal, in jail.

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Factual

Sep 23, 2015 03:07pm

NAB was established to recover money and not to prosecute. This is what the NAB ordinance says. People should not ask for criminal prosecution from NAB. It is the job of FIA at high level. Politicians have passed these laws and THEY appoint NAB chairmen etc. Those calling for accountability of big fish should know that very same big fish have made the system for themselves. Every few years these big fish present themselves for accountability (i.e. Elections). If we have been electing them again and again then we have lost the right to complain. There is no better accountability than by the people in elections. Question is "I Pakistani nation capable of holding its lawmakers accountable?"

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Mr M.Tariq

Sep 23, 2015 03:10pm

NAB very disappointing this criminal is retuning 22 million from 80 million pleae confiscate all his properties for the short full to deter other such criminals. NAB your office is the Pakistani hero after the beloved army please do not disappoint us again

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naji

Sep 23, 2015 03:17pm

Who is promoting crimes, who is promoting corruption in this society? We can understand easily. All Big fishes are in the mode of GAGS. Poor criminals and small cheaters are in jail. No plea bargain.

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haris

Sep 23, 2015 03:24pm

Where is PPP and Zardari who initially termed Qasim Zia's arrest as political victimization?

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Shakil Ahmed Khan

Sep 23, 2015 03:29pm

Whats the point? fraud with 80 million and return 22 millions? thats not detterence to any crime. so example is next time do extra corruption and set aside little money to give back to NAB and you still crystal clean for next! put him behind bars, confiscate his properties and cash from banks, give him prison for the crime - that will set the example!

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Zubaida khan

Sep 23, 2015 03:30pm

@Muhammad Iqbal plea bargains are instruments of law. Even under American law a plea bargain is offered to each and every accused. It reduces cost and provides valuable information to the authorities. A plea bargain includes admission of guilt.

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Zubaida khan

Sep 23, 2015 03:31pm

@Shazadjp so we should let him go with a pat on the back?

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Raza

Sep 23, 2015 03:36pm

So steal 100% and return 10%? Very attractive business. I should start this too. That's a shame that crook like him is getting away with Pakistani poor people hardened money. Where is the justice and the punishment?

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Disparate

Sep 23, 2015 03:36pm

Technically plea bargain is used when there is a risk that accused can go free due lack of evidence or legal loopholes, but on the other hand accused are also not sure of avoiding severe punishment. World is not a perfect place so rich and powerful always have an edge. But we can't start hanging people based on rumours on the pretext that witnesses can be bought.

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hadi

Sep 23, 2015 03:37pm

is NAB run by normal people or lunatics, fraud of 80million, person agree to pay 22.2million (minus NAB cut) he put down 8million and walks out with 72million in his pocket. Its like giving a licence to culprits, goahead steal more, pay back friction of it and enjoy.

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Observer

Sep 23, 2015 03:38pm

Learning this, all I am now motivated to do is to commit a big fraud, have few tough days with NAB, return a small amount to them, but then live rich and clean for the rest of my time. Pre bargain? what a joke!!!

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junaid

Sep 23, 2015 03:43pm

This is not right.

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Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A

Sep 23, 2015 03:45pm

@Zubaida khan Well, he quite surely has got away with a pat on the back when he returns 22.1 million an amount almost a quarter of the stolen 80 million. He must be celebrating his release and looted fortune both. He should have been made to pay back the whole amount with interest and should have been given a reduced jail term as part of a plea bargain. The parliament needs to legislate lot more severe laws in respect of corruption, fraud and embezzlement.

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AXH

Sep 23, 2015 03:47pm

He should be barred from running for elections forever.

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Qaiser Ahmed

Sep 23, 2015 03:49pm

@Zubaida khan "...In plea bargains, prosecutors usually agree to reduce defendants' punishment. They often accomplish this by reducing the number or severity of the charges against defendants. They might also agree to recommend that defendants receive reduced sentences. Some plea bargains require defendants to do more than simply plead guilty. For example, prosecutors often offer favorable plea bargains to defendants who agree to testify for the state in cases against other defendants."Cornell University Law School. .".. a reduced sentence." And what has the court done here? Go to jail, or, go home.

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Pakistani

Sep 23, 2015 03:49pm

SC should get rid of this plea bargain rubbish.

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Canadawala

Sep 23, 2015 04:11pm

NAB created by Mushy It keeps 25% of the money recovered It is great business for NAB nothing for the country. What a shameful act.

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Farhat

Sep 23, 2015 04:11pm

Like with the cricket fixer trio. Proven guilty Jailed , Yet innocent .

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Owais

Sep 23, 2015 04:13pm

I think I should quit studying. What's the point of studying, working hard and paying taxes just to save a few pennies when I can commit a fraud of a few millions and then give some of that money back to NAB and keep the rest for myself.

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Mohammed

Sep 23, 2015 04:30pm

Good business corruption in Pakistan. Loot eighty million, if you don't get caught keep it all, if you do get caught then give back a quater and keep the rest. Only in Pakistan.

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Azam Qadeer

Sep 23, 2015 04:47pm

not a good thing for the country.

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expat

Sep 23, 2015 04:52pm

@Muhammad Iqbal you are absolutely right. This Infact encourages corruption. It's like keep doing corruption and when caught return some of the looted money and carry on. I watched Qasim news of relaxing on bail in which he was acting as if it was a false case. If it was a false case then why did he return the money. He thinks he will live forever

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faridullah

Sep 23, 2015 05:02pm

Pakistan,always amazes me.

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M Akram

Sep 23, 2015 05:07pm

So he fleeced the people and country for billions and will only payback millions and go scot free to do the same again under different name or leave the country to enjoy his ill begotten gains. How shameful!

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s.khan

Sep 23, 2015 05:09pm

WHO should we kneel and beg for justice now ( if not Raheel Sharif). look how systematically the corrupts are being freed .plea bargain

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MJK

Sep 23, 2015 05:11pm

Cheat and embezzle millions, make a plea bargain, return part of embezzled money, keep rest, still come out winner.

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zahid Bokhari

Sep 23, 2015 05:11pm

Looters should stay behind bars plea bargain is another way of corruption

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Irfan

Sep 23, 2015 05:12pm

Again our judges and courts came in the way. Justice not done AGAIN.

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Sajjad

Sep 23, 2015 05:14pm

Plea bargain = loot public money, if caught return some of it, and then live happily after.

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AKNasser

Sep 23, 2015 05:16pm

If he won any medal as member of Pakistan hockey team, take away his medal. He does n't deserve it.

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Sajjad

Sep 23, 2015 05:22pm

In other words plea bargain is regularizing the act of corruption.

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A. Ali

Sep 23, 2015 05:33pm

NAB is setting a wrong precedent ie: plea bargain. this will bring more problems like NRO did. He accepted his corruption, indict him and get the money back. Indeed a very wrong deal in place which will not discourage the crime, corruption and deceit. Sad, a former Olympian involved in corruption and confessed to it and willing to return 22 million.... great NAB is doing wonders. Sooner big fishes will be caught and we will see billions being deposited in national ex-chequer. What about the criminals and their indictment. Military courts is the answer, no wonder politicians were against these courts....

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Ejaz khan

Sep 23, 2015 06:00pm

This is ridiculous.When you are giving back 22.2 million and at the same time you are claiming that you are innocent.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Sep 23, 2015 06:02pm

He embezzled 80 million and making a deal for 8.2 million. The customary settlement should have been 80 million plus court & investment costs and penalty. This is another brand of theft which was invented by NAB. It should be pointed out that Qamar Zaman & his staff will get hefty bonus for settlement of this case. Shame on us ( all Pakistan ) who allow this kind of scam with our tax money.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Sep 23, 2015 06:07pm

This man (Zia ) should be stripped of all the medals & position in the society.

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Dr,Sadaf

Sep 23, 2015 06:10pm

Get arrested and then the next step comes, as simple as that, this is the reason we will never be able to eradicate corruption and the crimes linked with it.

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Dr,Sadaf

Sep 23, 2015 06:13pm

@Muhammad Iqbal , agree with you but then who are facilitating them are also getting the cut, the thing is we are caught in a maze of corruption and getting out of it will be a humongous task, cannot see anything in the future.

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Karachitee

Sep 23, 2015 06:24pm

Is'nt LHC ban the speech of one of the party leader from Sind

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Amir Shah

Sep 23, 2015 06:27pm

He shouldn't be allowed to simply get away by handing the embezzled money back to rightful owners. He should still be punished for his crimes and should be shown as an example to corrupt political cronies who, when in power abuse every law of the country, thinking they are above the law. It's a shame that a star of our hockey ended up loosing his morals for personal benefits.

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ahmad

Sep 23, 2015 06:30pm

corrupt system supports corrupts. lollypop to layman

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Kip Km

Sep 23, 2015 06:30pm

"Plea bargain" is when you trade off a PUNISHMENT to reveal (bargain) information that will help prosecution convict another defendant. Thence in a sentencing, the primary defendant first retributes the alleged money in question, plus pays the fine/penalty and then serves jail time. It is the jail time that he plea bargains for exchange of information that will convict another criminal. This Pakistani version is: you scratch my back and I'll yours

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Merchant

Sep 23, 2015 06:34pm

@Muhammad Iqbal well said. Qasim Zia case should be exemplary and should lead to catching the ultimate big corrupt fish , Pakistani nation will be let down if Zia and again let off.

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Desi

Sep 23, 2015 06:49pm

This must be a joke. Embezzle 80 million and return 22 million. What about the other 58 million. He will be living in Dubai soon.

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Amir

Sep 23, 2015 07:07pm

How much of the balance 58 million has gone into the personal pockets of the NAB personnel? This amount of 80 million is a miniscule part of a drop in the ocean of the corruption that has occurred / is occurring during the tenures of the previous and current administrations. Mr Zia's gold medal and other citations should be taken away from him and he should be shamed !!

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Riz

Sep 23, 2015 07:10pm

Not only should get all the money back from him he should also be punished but again when was the last time corrupt politician went to jail.

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Moin Khan

Sep 23, 2015 07:15pm

This does not make any sense. If confirmed it was 80M, Recover all even if you have to sell his all assets and put him behind bar for committing the crime. WHAT THE HECK IS THIS "plea bargain". Is it other name of corruption. Seems like NAB person put 50% of rest of amount into own pockets and left 50% with Qasim Zia .

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Saeed Masood

Sep 23, 2015 07:15pm

If this nonsense of plea bargains will not stop and the whole amount stolen will not be returned and the criminal not jailed.....the Pakistan voter will get fed up and vote for some one like Imran Khan or even more extreme.This guy illegally took 80 million and returned 22 million what is NAB doing teaching our future generations to steel and return 20 percent and keep the rest.

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Usman

Sep 23, 2015 07:22pm

In the West when someone is found guilty of corruption this is the sentence: 1.) They have to pay back ALL the proceeds of the corruption 2.) They have to pay a heavy fine above and beyond the corruption, assets are also seized 3.) They go to prison from 3 to 8 years 4.) Upon release their assets/lifestyle are subject to court monitoring and they are expected payback from future earnings what they were not able to pay from 1 & 2 above THIS IS JUSTICE

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JUSTICE

Sep 23, 2015 07:22pm

Lahore high court judges giving shelter to criminals by accepting plea bargain and chairman NAB is to blame, we shall not protect criminals by giving them any deals.

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ali

Sep 23, 2015 07:24pm

NAB's present and past officers are under investigation of corruption. How can you expect any fairness from them. Its all a drama. I will only believe when big fish who are already implicated in nab's list are arrested and punished and that is not going to happen.

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Ahmed

Sep 23, 2015 07:30pm

Great plea bargain, steel 80 million spend few days in jail, pay back 22 million and pocket 58 million. Where you are going to get such a profit margin, only in Pakistan.

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Shahid Akbar, New York

Sep 23, 2015 07:48pm

Now what? He will make money again.

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Sal

Sep 23, 2015 07:59pm

I am still waiting for the front leaders of PML-N, PPP and MQM. Are they all honest ? What is the joke ???

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Israr

Sep 23, 2015 08:00pm

@Owais Good idea.However, I will advise you join PMLN/PPP after quitting your studies and become a pilllar of democracy. If you can't do this then please complete your studies and leave the country at the first opportunity. If that is not possible either then join a political party headed by an honest person and fight the status quo like many other passionate young men.

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Bhai Jan

Sep 23, 2015 08:02pm

Not good news at all. And that's no punishment. It encourage more corruption by the politicians . Ayyan, Dr.Qasim, many others are getting almost scotfree. This way Pakistan will continue to be a Banana Republic. Gen.Raheel please do something as the whole nation is looking up to you to clean up the mess which has been created intentionally by Politicians looking after themselves rather than the country.

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Shah

Sep 23, 2015 08:02pm

Out of Rs.80 million looted he agreed to return Rs.22 million. Where did the remaining Rs.58 million go. When was the fraud committed. Who is going to recover the markup. NAB should explain this in detail to the nation and should not put a smoke screen to hide the true picture.

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Khara aur karwa such

Sep 23, 2015 08:30pm

@Saleem Has NAB acted lawfully in accepting Qasim Zia's plea bargain for Rs. 22.2 million out of the total embezzled amount of Rs. 80 million? And how much of the plea bargained amount will be legally pocketed by NAB officials? It is really sickening to see what is happening in Pakistan in the name of law.

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Mohsin

Sep 23, 2015 08:38pm

No wonder corruption is so rampant. It's so convenient - whatever you loot, keep more than 70% of it, return the remaining less than 30% and enjoy a happy life afterwards.

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Khara aur karwa such

Sep 23, 2015 08:39pm

@Shah No politician is talking on this issue. Not even Imran Khan. Why is he not taking the NAB law to the parliament for review and removal of all inherent lacunae? NAB should be thoroughly investigated, and with alacrity.

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ali

Sep 23, 2015 08:41pm

Clear case of Mukh muka. SC should take notice of this corruption by NAB

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Arshad Vasti

Sep 23, 2015 08:43pm

@Irfan , This was a NAB case. It did not go to courts,except for bail after p.bargain. S.court is on record ,many times, for changes in the NAB LAWS. These laws were made during our be-loved Gen.Musharraf.

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jamilakht@hotmail.com

Sep 23, 2015 09:01pm

In this time of opportunism only people standing with PPP are those who are waiting to collect some more money from these peoples and are turned down by other political mafias. It has nothing to do with politics and ideology.

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Naveed

Sep 23, 2015 09:02pm

Anyone embezzling from the National Exchequer is a economic terrorist and should only be tried by a Military Courts that have already been approved by Elected Representatives. There should be no provision for plea bargain, bail or stay orders for the person or persons. The other matter of concern is that embezzled funds may have been used to finance terrorist acts, which is now surfacing in on going Interrogations of arrested suspects. Failing to prosecute and punish these terrorist this time around is a open invitation of resurrecting elements likes TTP and IS. The State is simply replaying the propaganda that the terrorist have been using against it. Afghanistan is heading for another bloodbath and this time Pakistan may also fall prey to the outcome.

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Altaf Noor Ali

Sep 23, 2015 09:16pm

Living among corrupts, sympathy for Zia or anyone who somehow gets caught is natural. A proper graduate of corruption under an astute supervision of a doctorate or post-doctorate must have been able to dug a tunnel right inside the NAB, like so many yet-to-be discovered right now. Qasim Zia: nothing to worry about. Just let this time go by. Few years from now I bet you may emerge as a federal minister after being taught all that you could not learn this time. Next time, sell the whole country without any worry. Nobody will come after you; there's an unwritten law to that effect in this country for last so many years.

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Khara aur karwa such

Sep 23, 2015 09:28pm

Qasim Zia, why did you do this to Pakistan, the motherland that gave you name, fame and the opportunity to make a decent and respectful living?

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Rick_james

Sep 23, 2015 09:28pm

No plea bargains please. These corrupt scoundrels should be thrown in jail for a long time. This is setting a very bad example that others might get away with returning the corrupt money 'if' they are caught,

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Talha

Sep 23, 2015 09:46pm

He was Pakistan Hockey Federation President for years and then we ask why our hockey is declining.

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Sep 23, 2015 10:33pm

Here is a litmus test for Bilawal Bhutto - if he serious about turning around the fortunes of PPP he should publicly condemn Qasim Zia for his corruption and expel him from the party. Oh wait - that won't happen. I should go back to dreaming.

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Azam Qadeer

Sep 23, 2015 10:59pm

really this is a shame. people took billions and NAB is not doing the job or some one pushing them. people like him should be in such jail where there great grand children will remember what our elder have done so people think 3 time before doing corruption in future. It is not fair middle class pay big price and big shot getaway

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ashamed

Sep 23, 2015 11:02pm

@Saleem This is an old story with NAB (who also get their cut in the money). This was one of the reasons why NDFC (National Development Finance Corporation) went bankrupt. The politically owned Corporations settled for 10 paisas on the Rupee.

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Mohammad Ali Jummah

Sep 23, 2015 11:14pm

Plea bargain is like giving 20% back and keeping 80% of the loot.

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Think

Sep 23, 2015 11:47pm

Lollypop by NAB and an other corrupt freed by our justice system

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Qamar

Sep 24, 2015 12:01am

Plea bargain??? What non-sense??? Corrupt should go straight to jail.

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Sarwar, USA

Sep 24, 2015 12:22am

No way keep him in jail. NAB itself is fraud... getting 22 millions from 80 million is joke.

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MOHAMMAD AKHTAR

Sep 24, 2015 12:42am

Did PPP kick him out from the party, I guess no. Imran Khan is the only one who is fighting corruption from party level also. Shame on all these big fat fish. They are selfish thieves.

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M Jamal

Sep 24, 2015 12:53am

Somebody said in a TV show that NAB is a washing machine where u put your dirty linen and after washing they are Pak and Saff.So NAB is washing dirty politicians.

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kanwarch

Sep 24, 2015 12:54am

Plea bargaining is being used to free the loiters of the country. He should give the money back ad should be put behind bars for at keat 10 years. The parliament should legislate and bring death penalty for doing corruption of more than say 1 million. Only then these corrupt immoral people will stop lootingtheir motherland. Shame on these greedy buggers

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Sep 24, 2015 12:56am

And he still claims to be innocent...

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saeed

Sep 24, 2015 01:12am

A national sports hero! found involved in corruption!!!!! Vow. If the heroes are becoming zero then no wonder the standards of sport will go down and so will sports. Why should the younger generation follow the footstep of these zeros? Why should we cry if others point towards us when corruption occurs. If heroes are corrupt then the rest of the nation is... Well we know.

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Emotionless

Sep 24, 2015 01:25am

So he was caught in 80million fraud. Good start, now catch those who allegedly made billions under current govt. List of projects is too long!

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Nabeel

Sep 24, 2015 03:14am

@Muhammad Iqbal Agree in all aspects. What Plea bargain? NAB need to be taken to account.

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Sep 24, 2015 04:01am

He says he left the Co. 7 Yrs before the fraud was commited and thus is implying that he is innocent of this crime but then he is willing to pay 22.2 million for the fraud that he says he commited by taking a plea bargain. Funny? More over where did he get all that money, gets confusing.

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Yousaf

Sep 24, 2015 04:23am

Loot billions and then return millions, this is non sense. Money he looted, he has to return, no doubt about this + the highest interest rate available in Pakistan multiplied by the number of days, months or years he enjoyed this money. This is just a partial solution of the problem. Next step is that even if he pays back all the money, yet the crime committed needs treatment. For each crime, the court must decide either extremely long term imprisonments or very heavy fine like confiscation of all of their wealth, belongings etc, and detailed scruitiny of their relatives property be made to see if they bought something in their relatives names. No bargain, no bail. Do it right, please.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada

Sep 24, 2015 04:30am

Bargain Plea- how much percentage will be left to them and how much will be recovered. 1) Where will the recovered money go? 2) Will the criminals be debarred from public office for good including participation in politics / taking part in elections? 3) Where has the money recovered under the Plea Bargain in the past gone? Do NAB staff share some of the recovered money, if so how much? I understand “Plea Bargain” is not only a discriminatory law but it is also Un-Islamic, therefore un-constitutional.

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probono publico

Sep 24, 2015 04:47am

Mubarik ho! We as a nation would never be strong on world arena if this attitude prevails. At least release all those prisoners because of their petty crimes like stealing a goat or a bag of atta. If we Pakistanis have no will to convict mega-corrupts then why to fill prisons for petty crimes.

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Asif Kamil

Sep 24, 2015 05:24am

What is 22.2 million ?? Nothing for any PPP leader at this time and age . What is this nonsense word Plea Bargain ? You ate billions and just return 1% . This practice has to stop.

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Sep 24, 2015 05:50am

@Muhammad Iqbal Well commented.

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Sep 24, 2015 05:53am

It is 80 million scandal and he gets off the hook by paying 22 million and no other punishment such as jail term. This is a bargain for him.

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Sep 24, 2015 05:55am

@Mohammed It happens in the other countries where plea bargaining occurs but there is always a jail sentence.

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Tamza

Sep 24, 2015 06:36am

@Muhammad Iqbal if someone 'steals' 1 million he expects chance if being caught is say 1%.But when he gets caught the plea deal is [should] NOT be at 0.5M, it should be at 1M, plus interest, PLUS [say] 7 years in prison, rather than the 'full' penalty of [say] 14 years.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Sep 24, 2015 06:38am

Bargaining shows he is guilty. If so then why don't face punishment. If poor steal 'ROTI' then punish him but if rich steal billion of dollars then bargaining will save his face. Pathetic justice.

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viq saad

Sep 24, 2015 08:12am

This is the poorest form of justice. If you are caught you return some of the money, else you keep it all. Long Live Pakistan

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Freeman

Sep 24, 2015 08:37am

"The accused had filed an application to return Rs22.2 million of appropriated money in the Rs80 million scandal, he said." Good business. Steel 80 million and return 22 out of it to get clean chit. So whenever you do some fraud, add 25% more for NAB. Its disgusting.

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