ISLAMABAD: Four members of a joint investigation team (JIT) formed to investigate the Arsalan Iftikhar-Malik Riaz graft case would leave for London on Monday or Tuesday, a senior official of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) told Dawn on Sunday.

During their stay in the United Kingdom, the investigators will collect evidence regarding alleged transfer of money by real estate tycoon Malik Riaz to Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, through offshore banks.

The team will also record statement of Salman Ahmed, son-in-law of Malik Riaz, who has declined to return to Pakistan citing threats to his life.

“We are expecting that the four investigators will get the British visa on Monday and they will travel to London the same day or the next day,” the NAB official said.

The NAB believes that Mr Riaz’s son-in-law is privy to the facts of the case and transactions of money. “His role in the case will be examined from all aspects,” NAB’s spokesman Zafar Iqbal said.

Because during his first appearance before the JIT Mr Riaz had sought more time to file more documents and information, he is being summoned again for the purpose. A notice for Monday has been issued to him.

The NAB official said Salman Ahmed had expressed his willingness to get his statement recorded by the investigators in the UK.

The investigation team is trying to record a statement of another main character in the scam — Ahmed Khalil — the business partner of Mr Riaz. At present, he is undergoing medical treatment in Germany.

“We will try to call Ahmed Khalil to London to record his statement,” the NAB official said.

The JIT has agreed to provide a reasonable opportunity to all persons for personal appearance before taking any action to ensure compliance of Section 19 of the NAB Ordinance.

The investigation team has also summoned Supreme Court registrar Dr Faqir Hussain in his personal capacity and not as a registrar of the apex court because he had earlier refused to appear before the JIT as registrar.

Dr Hussain is likely to visit the NAB headquarters on Monday for getting his statement recorded.

Meanwhile, the NAB has decided to send a fresh notice to Arsalan Iftikhar any time on Monday or Tuesday to record his statement.

The NAB has formally made a request through diplomatic channels and the British high commission in Pakistan for international mutual legal assistance from the relevant authorities in the UK.

The investigation team will also meet officials of the Serious Organised Crime Agency of the UK to seek technical assistance and to ensure complete transparency in the process of evidence-gathering in the case.