Islamabad (December 29, 2018): Farooq Hamid Naek has been replaced as the lawyer of Asif Zardari and Faryal Talpur after allegations against him surfaced in the report submitted to Supreme Court by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in the Mega Money Laundering Scam.
Lateef Khosa will be acting as Chief counsel to Former President Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.
Therefore, upon the technical basis from onwards, Farooq Naek will not be able to appear in the Supreme Court regarding the case.
Earlier in the day, Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed and his son, Abdul Ghani Majeed submitted a reply in the Supreme Court to a joint investigation team (JIT) report today in the mega money laundering and fake accounts case.
In their reply, the two suspects requested the top court to dismiss the JIT report. 
“We are innocent in all allegations levelled against us in the JIT report,” the Majeeds said in their reply.
“No material or documentary evidence was provided with the JIT report to support the allegations,” the reply read. “Names of those 924 individuals, whose statements were recorded, have not been provided,” it further said.
“The JIT has no basis to recommend transferring the matter to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB),” the response stated.
“According to approval for any of the JIT’s recommendations will be a violation of basic rights,” it added.
Earlier on December 24, Supreme Court issued a notice to former president Asif Ali Zardari and Omni Group Owners and directed them to submit a reply by December 31.
The report submitted to Supreme Court by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) declared the Former President Asif Ali Zardari and Omni Group Owners responsible in the Mega Money Laundering and Fake Accounts Case.
A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the Suo Motu case at the SC’s Lahore registry and issued a notice to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson.
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During the hearing, the chief justice remarked, Household expenses of Zardari and Bilawal was paid through these companies. “Zardari and Bilawal’s heater bills and even the money spent on their dogs was paid by someone else,” he added.
Further, the chief justice linked Omni Group properties with the court decision. “These properties will be seized,” the chief justice said.
The JIT report stated that the money was transferred through fake accounts for the construction of Bilawal Houses in Karachi and Lahore. “These companies paid for Bilawal family’s monthly expenditure of over Rs1.2 million,” the report added.
Nonetheless, the Supreme Court sent notices to Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.
Earlier in the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar lashed at the Omni Group counsels and said that the Omni Group owners are still sitting on high horses.
A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the Suo Motu case at the SC’s Lahore registry.
As the hearing went underway, the Supreme Court directed that a projector be set up in the courtroom and the chief justice remarked, “The summary of JIT report will be played in open court on a projector.”
Turning to Omni Group counsels Muneer Bhatti and Shahid Hamid, Justice Nisar said, “It seems that Omni Group owners are still sitting on high horses.”
“They have looted billions of rupees of the nation and are still engaging in mischief,” he added. “It seems that they will have to be shifted elsewhere from Adiala jail.”
Justice Nisar continued, “There will be no mercy for Anwar Majid.”
“You are a counsel and are taking fees. We will hear you, but we have to make a decision,” the top judge further said.
Turning to Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson’s counsel, Farooq H Naek, the chief justice said, “It is a matter of billions of rupees and we will not forgive. We cannot pardon those who looted billions and are now engaging in mischief.”
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