Ask my father about Zardari Group business, Bilawal tells JIT

ISLAMABAD: The legal team of Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in a written reply that their client was not aware of Zardari Group Pvt Ltd. dealings.

The PPP chairman informed investigators that his father former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari was looking all of the business affairs.

“He [Bilawal] claimed that it is true that he is one of directors for Zardari Group Pvt Ltd but does not take part in its business. All affairs are being run by his father [Asif Ali Zardari] and JIT should question him regarding fake accounts case,” officials familiar with the latest development pertaining to multi-billion scam, however, revealed Geo.tv on Thursday.

The written reply of Mr Bhutto was submitted by his legal team headed Farooq H. Naek, said, “he mostly remained abroad, became tax resident in 2016 in Pakistan so all affairs and business dealings like payments of water, food charges, rent, etc. are being dealt by his father—so it is better option to question him.”

Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did not appear before the JIT and was represented through his lawyer Farooq H Naek, who already representing former President Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur in fake Bank accounts scam.

Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has officially requested the JIT to send him a questionnaire before he appeared before the investigators.

According to sources, JIT wanted to question Bilawal Bhutto as director Zardari Group Ltd which allegedly has been beneficiary of fake accounts. More than 620 individuals who have an alleged direct or in-direct link with more than 300 fake accounts have accumulated the wealth worth around Rs110 billion, officials associated with the investigation process revealed to this correspondent on Tuesday.

JIT asked PPP Chairman that you are acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the matter and possess information/evidence which relates to the subject case/enquiry. JIT also advised PPP Chairman that he was required to produce the record along with justifications pertaining to transactions made by M/s Zardari Group Pvt. Ltd with many fake accounts associated with Omni Group and other over a half dozen entities and individuals, according to a summon-notice Joint Investigation Team (JIT) served PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. JIT also questioned Mr Bhutto as director of Zardari Group Pvt Ltd. Where a sum of amount was accumulated through M/s Lucky International’s account 12120-311714135-339 maintained at a private bank in Karachi. Investigators also want to question PPP Chairman about fake accounts maintained through M/s Umair Associates, M/s Ocean Enterprises and M/s Dream Trading and Company. These accounts carried more than 34 transactions worth around Rs130 million, an official revealed.

Payment of Rs1.54 million of domestic water bill for the month of April 20, 2015 pertaining to House No, D-30, Block 3 Clifton from a fake account of M/s Royal International which were maintained at a private bank in Karachi, revealed the JIT notice at Bilawal House in Karachi last week.

Payment of Rs4.14 million on June 29, 2015 from a fake account owned by M/s Logistic Trading for food supplied to Bilawal House by M/s ‘The Deli’ restaurant, JIT’s notice further revealed. This account was maintained at a private bank in Karachi.

The JIT has also sought original documents and certified receipts to justify his stance as evidence for fake accounts case. The notice finally read that if the accused person fails to appear before the investigators then “please note that failing to comply with this notice, may entail penal consequences under the NAO 1999.”

PPP top leadership including Senator Farhatullah Babar, MNA Nafisa Shah, Sindh Cabinet Member Saeed Ghani and Farooq H. Naek, counsel for Mr Zardari, did not respond to Geo News queries pertaining to this important issue. Despite repeated attempts made by this correspondent they did not comment on this development.

Mustafa Nawaz Kokhar, the spokesman to Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, said PPP legal team headed by Farooq H Naek is pleading fake accounts case. Matter is under investigation and party has been facing cases in the past and it will continue to face them now as well.” Mr Khokhar further maintained, "we have been emerging triumphant from the courts." Ends