ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday questioned former chief minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah for his alleged involvement in the fake bank accounts and money laundering case.

The senior politician, who was grilled for 40 minutes at the bureau’s office in Islamabad, was the fourth top leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party who appeared before NAB investigators since March 20. Before him, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, former president Asif Ali Zardari and incumbent Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had visited the NAB office in Islamabad and recorded their statements.

On the fake bank accounts and money laundering case, NAB warned the media of dire consequences in case of “misreporting”.

Qaim grilled in fake accounts case for over half an hour, asked to submit answers to questionnaire within 10 days

According to NAB, a Combined Investigation Team (CIT) of the anti-graft watchdog asked the former CM several questions during his 40-minute stay at the NAB office. The questions related to his alleged involvement in two separate issues pertaining to the ongoing investigation into the fake bank accounts and money laundering case.

The investigators also handed over a written questionnaire to the ex-CM, asking him to submit his reply within next 10 days. “NAB team would review the answers of Qaim Ali Shah in the light of relevant law and then decide about calling him in NAB again for questioning,” a spokesman for NAB said.

A press release issued by NAB said the inquiry against the former chief minister was being conducted under the direct supervision of NAB chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal. “NAB believes in taking to logical conclusion its investigations sans caring about any pressure,” it said, adding that NAB would continue its struggle for eliminating the menace of corruption. It said NAB reiterated its firm resolve to protect the self-esteem of every individual and also the bureau did not want to hurt any person.

NAB asked the media to avoid speculations about ongoing complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations. “NAB reserves the right of taking legal action against publication/broadcasting of concocted and fabricated news items,” it warned.

A day ago, Mr Shah had obtained bail before arrest from the Islamabad High Court, expressing apprehensions that NAB officials could arrest him upon his appearance before the investigation team.

His petition said Mr Shah was 85 years old and was entitled to pre-arrest bail due to his age.

Earlier, his name appeared in a report prepared by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) tasked with probing the fake accounts case. He was among the 172 people named in the report whose names were to be placed on a no-fly list.

The former chief minister in his petition contended that he was being politically victimised through the case, and claimed that he had been dragged into the case without any solid evidence.

During preliminary arguments, the counsel for Mr Shah told the court that NAB had summoned the ex-CM in connection with an investigation into Thatta Sugar Mills and Dadu Sugar Mills.

The court observed that the instant petition was about NAB’s call-up notice in the Thatta Sugar Mills inquiry.

At this, the counsel said that he would file another petition for the second NAB notice regarding Dadu Sugar Mills.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2019