Ishaq Dar's assets increased 91 times from 1993 to 2009, court informed

 

ISLAMABAD: The accountability court conducting corruption proceedings against former finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar recorded the statements of five witnesses today.

Dar, a close aide of Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif, is accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income. A reference against him was filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.

Dar, following his indictment, has been a no-show in the proceedings after he departed for London in October last year seeking medical treatment.

Witnesses record statements against Ishaq Dar, present details of tax and bank accounts

Former finance minister has been a no-show in the proceedings against him since Oct last year

During today's hearing, the court recorded the statements of NAB officials Shakeel Anjum, Iqbal Hasan, Zavar Manzoor and Umar Draz Gondal.

Moreover, District Officer Punjab Industries Azhar Hussain recorded his statement in court, as did IRS Lahore Commissioner Ishtiaq Ahmed.

Ahmed informed the court that Dar's wealth increased 91 times from Rs9.1 million in June 1993 to over Rs830 million by 2009. 

NAB prosecutor Imran Shafique then asked the court to summon SECP’s Joint Registrar Sidra Mansoor and Deputy Registrar Salman Saeed, who previously presented records against Dar. 

The judge observed that the prosecution can summon as many witnesses as it wants in the next couple of days, hinting that the case would be winding up soon. 

The case was then adjourned until tomorrow. 

At the last hearing, a total of six NAB witnesses had recorded their statements before Accountability Court-I Judge Mohammad Bashir.