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AC Issues Dar’s Bailable Warrant, Hearing Adj Till Nov 2

Islamabad (October 3, 2017): The Judge of Accountability Court Muhammad Bashir issued bailable warrant of federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for failing to appear before the court today in the case pertaining to corruption reference against him by National Accountability over accumulating assets beyond declared sources of income.

Dar did not appeared before the court today as he is presently in London. He has already appeared before the court seven times previously and if he would have appeared today it would have been his eight appearance before the court. It may be mentioned here that the Court had issued arrest Warrants of Ishaq Dar previously.

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Dar’s counsel Khawaja Haris has filed an application on behalf oh his client seeking exemption from personal appearance saying that Dar’s developed a health condition last night and he had to fly to London for medical treatment. The NAB prosecutor opposing Dar’s exemption application plead the court to issue arrest warrant of the accused for failing to appear before court.

Granting NAB’s plea the Court later issued the bailable warrant of arrest of Ishaq Dar. The Court also rejected Dar’s counsel application for granting exemption to his client from personal appearance in the court and also issues notice to Dar’s guarantor. The Court directed Dar’s counsel to ensure Dar’s appearance before court on the next hearing on November 2.

During today’s hearing Dar’s counsel Khawaja Haris and NAB prosecutors were present in the court. The prosecution also presented four witnesses in the court. One of the prosecution witness Abdul Rahman Gondal appeared in the court with two sacks full of proofs.

Presenting Dar’s medical report before the court Haris told the court that his client was unable to appear before the court because he is ill and has to go a medical check-up in London. He asked the court to grant his client one day exemption from appearance ensuring that Dar’s presence in the court on Thursday would be ensured.

Opposing Dar’s counsel plea NAB prosecutor plead the court to issue Dar’s warrant of arrest arguing that as per television reports suspect Ishaq Dar is in London. After arguing the arguments of both the parties the court rejected Dar’s plea for exemption from appearance, issued his bailable warrant of arrest and also issued notic to Dar’s guarantor.

Asking Dar’s counsel to ensure that his client appears before the court on next hearing the Court said that if Dar fails to arrest on next hearing his surety would be impounded.

Later the court adjourned the hearing till November 2.

It may be mentioned here that on the last hearing of the case on October 23, the court had continued with recording statements of NAB’s witnesses- Abdul Rehman Gondal of Allied Bank and Masoodul Ghani of Habib Bank Limited. The cross examination of the two witnesses was to be completed today by Ishar Dar’s counsel Khawaja Harris. In all three prosecution witnessed, including the two mentioned above have recorded their statements before the court.

Meanwhile, the court had summoned two more prosecution witnesses- namely Azeem Khan of Bank Al Falah and Faisal Shehzad of Habib Metropolitan Bank- to record their statements today and Dar’s counsel was to cross examine them.

The NAB had submitted a plea in court seeking its endorsement of the bureau’s October 18 order directing the freezing of Dar and his family’s assets.

NAB has been seeking the endorsement of the court as the NAB chairman’s order stated: “This order shall remain in force for a period not exceeding 15 days and it shall be filed in the court of learned judge, Accountability Court No. 1, Islamabad for its confirmation as required under 1st proviso to Section 12(C) of NAO, 1999”.

NAB is seeking the freezing of Dar’s six bank, properties and vehicles in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates as well as investments in both countries.

NAB also listed properties and assets of Dar as follows: A house in Gulberg, Lahore, a two-kanal plot in Parliamentarians Enclave, Islamabad, a two-kanal plot with Ayaz Builders (Pvt) Ltd, a plot in Senate Cooperative Housing Society, Islamabad, a two kanal and 19 marla plot in the name of Mrs Tabassum Dar, three plots in Alflah Housing Society, Lahore owned by Dar, his wife and son Ali Mustafa Dar and six acres in Mouza Milot owned by him and his wife.

In the list of foreign properties and assets, the NAB mentioned a flat in Emirates Hills Dubai, owned by Dar, an apartment in Palm Jumairah Dubai, a 2003 Bentley Arnage car, a 2006 Mercedez, two sets of shares/investment in Baraq Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and shares/investments in Al-Nahayan owned by Ishaq Dar.

The list of cars in Pakistan include a 2004 Land Cruiser owned by Mrs Dar, a 1999 Land Cruiser, a 2004 Toyota Corolla, a 1998 Mercedez Benz,  a 2008 Mercedez and a 2014 Land Cruiser.

Moreover, Dar and his wife have made an investment of Rs3,453,060 in Hajveri Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and Rs2,700 shares by in Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd.

NAB, in its application, informed the court of serious apprehensions that the accused, his dependents/benamidars might dispose of, alienate, sell, create charge or change the status of the properties/investments.

Related News:

Assets Beyond Income: Hearing Adjourned Till October 23

NAB Directs to Freeze Dar’s Assets