ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, asserted on Tuesday that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is an independent institution and that the government did not exert any influence to orchestrate the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan.
Speaking at a press conference, he stated that he could swear he had never met the NAB chairman and clarified that Khan’s arrest was related to the case involving Al-Qadir Trust while other corruption inquiries against him were still ongoing.
Regarding NAB’s action, Sanaullah explained that Khan had been instructed by the bureau to appear for investigation, but he challenged the notices in court. When the Lahore High Court eventually allowed the investigation to proceed and Khan still failed to appear, NAB took action and apprehended him, according to the minister.
Elaborating on the alleged corruption, Sanaullah revealed that a property tycoon’s money amounting to 190 million pounds was discovered in the UK. Pakistan sought repatriation of the public funds, but a former aide to Prime Minister Khan, Shehzad Akbar, obstructed the process by creating a trust named Al-Qadir, which included lands including 240 kanal in Bani Gala and others in Sohawa. Sanaullah claimed that Akbar received Rs2 billion for his involvement and fled to the UK.
Sanaullah further alleged that Khan established the trust to conceal the corrupt money, with Khan and his wife serving as trustees.
The minister also mentioned the Toshakhana case against Khan, stating that it was proven, and said that Rs60 billion were adjusted in the Supreme Court’s account instead of being repatriated to the country. Sanaullah criticized the lack of action by the court on the matter.
Rana Sanaullah challenges Imran Khan
Challenging Khan to present a money trail, Sanaullah accused him of asking Akbar to defend the case in a UK court while simultaneously criticizing corruption. The minister expressed his disappointment that no one took suo motu notices during that time.
Responding to questions about facilitating Khan’s investigation, Sanaullah emphasized that it was not vindictive politics but a corruption case. He argued that if properties were registered in Khan’s name, it was not a matter of vindictiveness but documented corruption.
Regarding Khan’s medical examination, Sanaullah dismissed the need for a wheelchair and suggested that he be admitted to a rehabilitation center instead. The minister claimed that it would serve a dual purpose of investigation and rehabilitation. He also stated that if Khan had the chance, he would have fled.
Regarding food arrangements, Sanaullah mentioned that Khan would be served the appropriate meals if NAB could arrange them. He compared the situation to PML-N leaders facing inquiries without creating unrest or disturbing the peace.
In response to potential disruptions to peace, Sanaullah warned that the government would employ “full force” to counter any such actions. He clarified that the deployment of federally-administered Rangers was at the request of the Capital police and that the arrest was conducted peacefully by the already stationed Rangers personnel.
