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Former provincial information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon concluded his almost two years long self-imposed exile and returned to Pakistan, where he was arrested and later released on late Saturday night, reported DawnNews.
The former minister was arrested by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials at Islamabad airport. Memon is facing several charges of monetary misappropriation and corruption.
He was released after verification of his bail before arrest and written undertaking from his lawyer that he will comply with authorities orders.
Earlier, the NAB chairman had filed a reference against Memon in connection with alleged misconduct in payments regarding advertising campaigns.
The reference said that the investigation was conducted regarding corruption and corrupt practices in the advertisement awareness campaigns on TV and FM channels between July 2013 and June 2015 and it was found that the accused acted in connivance with each other resulting in a loss of Rs3,279,177,029 to the national exchequer.
It was revealed in the investigation that an amount of Rs5,766,479,766 was paid to seven advertisement companies in violation of the Sindh Public Procurement Rules 2010, said the reference.
Sharjeel Memon was alleged of issuing contracts to favourite advertising agencies at exorbitant rates even without confirming the market rates. Besides, the former information minister directly approved the media plan submitted by the advertising agencies.
After the arrest, Memon's son, Rawal Sharjeel Memon said that his father had returned knowing "there was a great chance of being arrested."
In a series of tweets, Rawal termed the arrest "ridiculous".
Comments (41) Closed
This will send a message that institutions are only against Karachites ,the feudals from rural sindh are free to do any thing. RIP Pakistan.
Bajwa sahab ,salute to your partial justice.
Probably escape of another corrupt big fish!!! not sure when will we read news like Sharjeel Memon arrested and punished for his acts.
Is not he the same guy ,from whom the billions of rupees were recovered from his boat???
Pathetic. This is not an example we should be setting for our youngsters.
Why was he released and why NAB? The NAB is a scam artist itself
Soon he will declared himself a hero...We as a Pakistani has a short memory .In 2018 election its time for us to select the right person to rule the country and give shutup call to corrupt elete..
@DR ankit Head of NAB is himself has a tainted record.
Why so much media attention to Sharjeel, look at his past before joining politics he had nothing but a motor cycle.
Probably five months jail and than Nab pre bar..... metod will be applied good luck Pakistanies.
@DR ankit He paid bail, which will not be returned back to him if he fails to prove himself innocent. The case against him will go on regardless.
Nothing expected against politicans by nab.
@zaryab chandio never ever expect any legal action against politicans by authorities.
There are different laws in Pakistan for Politicians and common man.
Every other corrupt is out free, add one more, what's the difference.
Ayan Ali, Dr Asim and Shirjeel Memon....... I don't know what to believe... all are guilty before trial and all get cleaned after their arrest....
They are untouchables by Law
@pakistan zindabad Not only Rural Sindh but other places as well. Just wait for the decision of Panama case.
Rich are free to do what they desire, while only the weak and poor are brought to justice not only that they are suffering from injustice too, there is no institution to go to when it comes to this, RIP Pakistan
Pakistan the State of affairs, has made milstone development of digital Pakistan digital police.
Let him come and be connected with ppp. The more the corrupt addition to PPP the higher the probability of the FALL DOWN of ppp. And is good for the people of Pak.
God can save this country.
These guys who have plundered millions are released and pardoned after giving a few thousands. How is this country going to excel when we have got two different justice systems, one for rich, which they can bend and play with and one for the less fortunate, which they face every day and is ruthless?
Every thug gets bail before arrest to his advantage. Now he will call upon his 'old mates' to help him clear his name.
Utterly shameful indeed! He is alleged to have engaged in disgusting corruption of billions of rupees and put himself in 'self-exile'(read was on the run) for 18 months. He has returned only to help his masters run for and win the upcoming elections and help make more billions the next time too. Is there any doubt that NAB will be a shameful accomplice in this plan?
monitory ? or monetary?
So that was the deal behind military courts approval by failed party PPP ...
So, it was a media-corruption galore? How can a provincial minister swindle such a huge sum of over 5 billion rupees just in media advertisement scam without being visible to any? Appears from the situation there is another NAB plea-bargain already initiated. Pathetic insult to the wisdom of poor nation.
Any patch up between PPP and L League before Panama verdict?
Nobody will come out on streets against corruption because everybody is guilty. Why are development funds handed over to unqualified people in first place? There should be a protective mechanism above the National Assembly because MNAs never provide solution to any problems faced by the masses.
All corrupts are now coming back because Raheel Shareef is now retried and policy has bee changed. This is our country Politics.
It was reported that Rs 2 Billion were recovered during a 2015 Intel raid on the minister's house. That was considered to be a fraction of his wealth. Of course, he denied the report; threatened to sue...nothing happened...Just curious, where is that money and the rest?
Should be tried and put behind bars. These incompetent and corrupt politicians (from all so called parties) have for too long stolen and cheated the public.
He is the big fish. Catch him.
Justice should be prioritised.
Rawal Sarjeel this is not braverly, corruption is corruption, whole country from top to bottom is corrupt mafia, now fish already in net let return the money and built from this money hospital in Mithi and Thar.
same story, different name. otherwise, sos.
Ask Mr. Rawal Sharjeel Inam Memon, does he really think that his father is innocent?? Dont play Sindh or Mazloom Card my dear Memon Sahab, we are Sindhi and we are fade up of you people, nobody voted you even, if there had been no rigging, today's whole cabinet would have ended in jail in 2013.
The officials who were with him (back in his tenure) have been arrested for assisting him and are in custody still and he has been released, That Logic!
These politicians loot, run away, come back, Get free and enjoy the loot. End of story. Put them in for life, this will stop corruption. Start at the top.
Ironically , the corrupt in demand "SABOOT" beyond any reasonable doubt. In Pakistan, ثبوت is impossible provide. Those whose job is to find it are corrupt themselves. There is a مک مکا that the grand corruption would remain untouched. Everyone in Pakistan has a price. اس ہمام میں سب ننگے ھیں Sadly Mians, Zardaris and their Sycophant flunkies will go on looting until nothing is left. When all the land to grab in Islamabd, Karachi Goths, Gwader will disappear , they and their progeny will fly away to greener and safer havens to enjoy the loot. Practically every politician has a foreign property. Buildings in Dubai are the ثبوت but it is not enough for Pakistani courts.
yet another plea bargain case .....don't worry.we are the main culprit to elect.