Haris Steel Mills: SC expresses displeasure over sluggish NAB progress The Express Tribune

10/22/12 7:14 PM

Haris Steel Mills: SC expresses displeasure over 'sluggish' NAB progress

Mill owner had obtained huge loan from BoP, made investments and purchased properties within the country and abroad. PHOTO: FILE ISLAMABAD: Expressing displeasure over National Accountability Bureaus (NAB) sluggish progress in the Bank of Punjab (BoP) case, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the bureau to submit a performance report within three days on Sheikh Afzals assets the owner of Haris Steel Mills. NAB is investigating Haris Steel Mills owner Sheikh Afzal, his son Haris, Afzals brothers Seth Yaqoob, Seth Munir and Seth Nisar on the orders of the apex court. The suspects obtained a huge loan from the BoP and made investments and purchased properties within the country and abroad. A SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising
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Haris Steel Mills: SC expresses displeasure over sluggish NAB progress The Express Tribune

10/22/12 7:14 PM

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain resumed hearing of the case here on Monday. During todays hearing, Afzal told the court through his counsel that half of the borrowed amount has been paid off to NAB under a plea bargain offer. His counsel further complained that some of his clients property in Dubai was sold for Rs1.5 billion half the actual price and pleaded that the court should order NAB to investigate the matter. Responding to the complaint, the chief justice remarked that assets cannot be sold without the owners consent. He asked NAB to submit details in this regard by October 25. Another member of the bench, Justice Khawaja stated that the property was secretly sold in Dubai. The counsel denied the claim and said the court can investigate the matter. Criticising NABs performance, Justice Khawaja said how can one expect NAB to investigate matters abroad when it has failed to carry out investigations within the country. The hearing was adjourned till October 25.

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