Management of firm co-owned by Zardari, Bilawal 'willfully avoided' proceedings: NAB

Inamullah Khattak Published December 11, 2018

NAB has summoned Zardari and Bilawal in pursuance of the case to appear before them on December 13. — DawnNewsTV/File

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday clarified why an inquiry was initiated against Park Lane Estate Company (Pvt) Ltd — a firm co-owned by former president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari — and government officials for alleged illegal transfer of forest land.

In a press release, the bureau stated that an inquiry was authorised into allegations that land belonging to the Punjab Forest Department was illegally transferred by Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials to Park Lane Estate Company, a Karachi-based real estate firm.

"The manager, attorney holder, and director of Park Lane Estate Company were repeatedly summoned; however, they have willfully avoided joining the proceedings of NAB," the statement said.

On December 9, the bureau sent notices to Zardari and Bilawal to appear before it in Rawalpindi on Dec 13 in connection with the transfer of land to Park Lane Estate Company.

Today's press release notes that Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan's records indicate that Zardari and Bilawal are 50 per cent shareholders of the real estate firm.

Detailing earlier findings of the investigation, NAB said: "It [was] revealed that the revenue officers in connivance with CDA officers, on application from Park Lane Estate Company, illegally extended undue benefit [to the real estate firm] through demarcation and handing over possession of 118.4 kanals [of] forest land."

NAB found that revenue officers "forged and tampered the revenue record(s)" while CDA officers "misused their authority to hand over possession of state land to Park Lane Estate Company".

Pakistan

PPP reacts angrily over NAB’s notice to Bilawal

Zardari owns six bulletproof vehicles, thousands of acres

Bilawal has more stakes abroad than in Pakistan

Adeeb

Dec 11, 2018 11:46pm

They are above the law, if you push for it they will play the Sindh card.

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My Comments

Dec 11, 2018 11:57pm

I am glad to see that trend of corruption is being reversed. I congratulate all those officials for their bravery to bring powerful corrupt individuals to court and answer for any ill-gotten money and assets. It was necessary to restore law and order in the country, otherwise every one would have accepted corruption, kickbacks and bribery as a normal way of doing business and running the country. May Almighty bless those honest officials for their service to the country and the society.

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bhaRAT©

Dec 11, 2018 11:59pm

That's why Zardari said: "how dare NAB chairman touch him". He thinks he is 'untouchable'!

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Abbasshah

Dec 12, 2018 12:03am

After 21 years ,Zia regime is back.

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Lahori kid

Dec 12, 2018 12:33am

Both own only 50 percent? oh wait, the other 50 percent is likely owned by fake owners.

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Javed Qamer Engineer Washington DC

Dec 12, 2018 12:36am

Why are we even discussing this. The zardaris are guilty. They should be put behind bars and no questions asked. These are rotten people who have robbed the good citizens of Pakistan for several decades.

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Dec 12, 2018 12:37am

CJP jagoo! He is procrastinating the case it till you retire.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Dec 12, 2018 12:45am

Both father and son are on spot lights for their black activities! This is why it is said that 'like father, like son'.

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Khalid

Dec 12, 2018 12:55am

These people have enough influence in Sindh to do whatever they like. Zardari and his son continue to fool the people of Sindh but I am fairly confident that their days are numbered. Whether they go to prison or not, there is a very small minority (mostly illiterate and poor people of Sindh) who still believe that this duo will change their lives. The fact that Zardari and his son are only interested in making money is not hidden from anyone in the know. In Sindh nepotism is rife and no one gets any employment (private or government) without a parchi from someone influential. PPP has destroyed Sindh and it will take generations to bring the province back to its formal glory.

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Magnanimous approach

Dec 12, 2018 01:15am

No apologetic approach bring them in.

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Arshad patel

Dec 12, 2018 01:16am

Can hear screams a loud fearing Noose is tightening !

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optimist

Dec 12, 2018 01:23am

How can Zardari be blamed. He bought the land at asking price.

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Falcon1

Dec 12, 2018 01:32am

I suspect the duo may be planning a long vacation in Dubai or London before December 13. Unless some one takes the steps to put their names on ECL too!

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Changez Khan

Dec 12, 2018 01:34am

put these 2 behind bars

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fairplay

Dec 12, 2018 01:39am

when will NAB put this duo in jail, like SS?

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Faiza33

Dec 12, 2018 01:54am

Dear NAB and media, please get the culprits of this beautiful country, please get them all. We would be made strong and just but please be active and smart as well.

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JA-Australia

Dec 12, 2018 01:55am

Here it comes, listen...3...2...1...whining tantrums of "selective accountability" Every crook who gets caught complains of being unfairly targeted.

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Ayesha

Dec 12, 2018 02:08am

It's not just forest land, lands of many farmers, and other defenceless owners also usurped.

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fairplay

Dec 12, 2018 02:13am

serve a legal notice by mail to the legal address, if party fails to appear, declare absconders and issue arrest warrants with names added to the ECL, and freeze all assets. no appearance still, liquidate al assets and cancel passport.

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Zak

Dec 12, 2018 03:22am

‘NAB found that revenue officers "forged and tampered the revenue record(s)" while CDA officers "misused their authority to hand over possession of state land to Park Lane Estate Company".’ Dont spare the Tevenue and CDA officers, who betrayed the public, for whom they serve. They should get life in jail. Do name and shame them.

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Fowez

Dec 12, 2018 03:26am

This family has been looting the nation for decades. How much more money do they need until they decide to put Pakistan First. It's a shame that these people represent Pakistan's most educated, elite.

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Magnanimous approach

Dec 12, 2018 03:30am

Men greed never ends, you may own a cinema house, sugar mills,more than 50 bungalows,hotels,Palaces, and luxury houses abroad, but still the greed is unlimited, unfortunately the shroud has no pockets, some Swiss banks have millions of Swiss Francs unclaimed , as the corrupt depositor did not disclose any heir on his application, certainly the amount goes to Swiss Banks. Ironically our political parties are headed by arrogant cunny persons, who have no wish to serve the people rather keep on extracting money for own benefits. Today the country is facing trade deficit only due to bad policies of some dishonest politicians. The accountability courts and bureau are taking actions slow and with fear, they might gain power. Only swift severe punishments can deter such influential persons, that’s need of day. All their properties must be seized, and all accounts freezed, all names on ECL, unless they return all illgotten wealth.

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Chinpaksaddique

Dec 12, 2018 04:13am

Best efforts by PMIK

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Pakistani Oz

Dec 12, 2018 04:25am

Will action be taken against those corrupt officers too?

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Javed Qamer Engineer Washington DC

Dec 12, 2018 04:25am

Send these looters to prison. We already know they have bribed govt officials. What else do you want to know. Send them to adiala on a diet of water and roti.

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Arshad

Dec 12, 2018 04:46am

You dig out more, you will find more. Even they may not know how much they amassed during their years. But one day the noose can be tightened...

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AHAQ

Dec 12, 2018 05:10am

NAB please get all the crooks as soon as possible

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Bill

Dec 12, 2018 05:23am

Pin them down!

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Ahsan Gul

Dec 12, 2018 05:30am

How Bilawal Zardari can be different than his corrupt father Asif Zardari. Our people and whole nation has to wake up and demand our government and courts to put these politicians in jails and their properties confiscated. Sincerely

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Khalid H Khan

Dec 12, 2018 05:34am

If it is true, then they both(father and son) should be disqualified from politics for life in addition to the punishment imposed by the court.

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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA

Dec 12, 2018 06:08am

Unending drama of probes into corruption in high places with no conviction or recoveries of looted monies, which may have been conveniently parked abroad, either in form of expansive real estate holding or Swiss accounts. Realistically speaking, those wishing to lay hands on these hundreds of billions parked abroad, may have to wait years together involving litigations in foreig lands, costing fortunes without assurance of positive outcome. One alternative to reduce gestion period of this arduous journey, is to affect changes in the laws, making the prosecution of such snail paced cases to move faster, & conviction the accused possible in months rather than years.But keeping present make up of the parliament, it would be a Herculean undertaking. The second most feasible alternative is to provide protection & monetary incentive to crown & other key witnesses, to flush out incriminating evidence, resulting in conviction & recovery of looted money. The nation anxiously awaits results.

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Faheem

Dec 12, 2018 06:10am

So many cases going on against this evil. Why NAB and FIA are not arresting him? Please don't let Zardari and Bilawal go this time!!!! Please don't let people of Pakistan denied justice who were forced to live below the poverty line and inhuman conditions for the last 30 year because of the corruption of the elites and powerful like Nawaz and Zardari !!!!

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Talha

Dec 12, 2018 07:18am

Shame on PPP. If Bilawal continues to stand with Asif Zardari then he would continue to be associated with corruption.

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AZAM AKBAR

Dec 12, 2018 07:49am

@Adeeb, Mr. Adeeb, Exactly. The literacy rate In the rural areas of Sindh is worse than the rural areas of other provinces. In 40-45 years PPP has deliberately left the people of these areas illiterate and uneducated, so this most corrupt regional political party easily misuse ethnicity in such areas. Non-Sindhis in this party are show-people nothing else.

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ABE

Dec 12, 2018 07:51am

Time for that urgent trip to Dubai or London??

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AZAM AKBAR

Dec 12, 2018 07:56am

@Abbasshah , Mr. Abbasshah, There was corruption during the regime of Ayub, Yahya, Zia and Musharraf. But the regimes of PPP and PML-N are worst.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Dec 12, 2018 08:06am

Zardaris, Shariffs, their family members and frirnds, will all be in jails very soon. The whole country is behind Naya Pakistan except the above mentions looters.

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Dec 12, 2018 09:10am

Father and the son must be immediately put behind the bars and then from the jail they can prove their innocence through my law teacher Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan otherwise calling them to appear before NAB or any court will be ignored and avoided by them in any case which must not be tolerated any more. Why the hell court accepts their bail before arrest when they are accused of in many cases? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

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haris

Dec 12, 2018 03:35pm

@Abbasshah , so stopping corruption is that?

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Ahsan Gul

Dec 12, 2018 05:56pm

So zardari has no shame to have his son involved in corruption and dishonesty! These guys may never have thought that there is always a limit to greed.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Dec 12, 2018 07:20pm

Based on the evidence gathered by NAB, both father and son be in jail for their fake accounts and black activities.

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Karachite

Dec 13, 2018 03:52am

@Adeeb, correction ''They will play the democracy is in danger card and also the 18th amendment card too "

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فکرمند The worried one

Dec 14, 2018 02:48am

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AZAM AKBAR

Dec 14, 2018 06:50am

@Ahsan Gul, Mr. Ahsan Gul, Shame? Shameful people are not like Zardaris, Bhuttos, Talpurs, Memons, Shahs, Shareefs, Babars, Naiks, Rabbanis, Aitezazs, etc.

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