Envoy to US doesn’t appear before NAB in Rs150m transaction case

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published October 20, 2018

Pakistan's ambassador to US Ali Jahangir Siddiqui. — Photo/File

LAHORE: Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Ali Jahangir Siddiqui did not appear before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore, on Friday in connection with a transaction of Rs150 million between him and Fawad Hasan Fawad, the former principal secretary to the prime minister.

NAB had summoned Mr Siddiqui to quiz him on charges that he had transferred Rs150m to the account of Mr Fawad before his appointment as ambassador to the US.

During interrogation, Mr Fawad is reported to have claimed that he had received Rs150m as a ‘loan’ from Mr Siddiqui.

“Neither Mr Siddiqui turned up nor his lawyer appeared before NAB on Friday,” an official of NAB said.

NAB had termed Mr Siddiqui’s reply in the case of stocks manipulation “unsatisfactory”.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had criticised former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for appointing Mr Siddiqui for the post, citing nepotism.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2018

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Nawaz

Oct 20, 2018 08:04am

Don't think he will return to Pakistan. I wonder why the govt is dithering and not replacing him?

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El Cid

Oct 20, 2018 08:14am

Well, then this is the right time for the handcuffs to come out!

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George

Oct 20, 2018 08:17am

Just following the footsteps of his predecessor! The elite has gone out of control!

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Be honest

Oct 20, 2018 08:33am

Why suspects and accused are still holding key posts? FM should take a strict action.

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Ahsan Gul

Oct 20, 2018 08:35am

Ex PM Abbassi should be charged for appointment of Sadiqe and to facilitate Dar to exit Pakistan.

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Bill

Oct 20, 2018 08:37am

The envoy to US did not appear before the NAB in that Rs150m transaction case. Really? Did anyone expect him to?

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Omar

Oct 20, 2018 08:40am

What compulsion does PTI have in keeping this guy as an ambassador? I voted for PTI , btw.

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Factual.

Oct 20, 2018 08:45am

Call him as he is on job or he will be the other Haqanni in US. Corrupt pml n & ppp appointed corrupt ppl in missions abroad to disguise their corruption in last 20 years.

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Rao Amjad Ali

Oct 20, 2018 08:52am

Not the best Pakistani PR face in Washington DC, especially at a time when Pak-US relations have alarmingly sunk to a very low point.

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Harmony-2 ©

Oct 20, 2018 08:59am

NAB is just doing media trails. They have incompetent people!

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Oct 20, 2018 09:28am

NAB to please make proper efforts for the recovery of amount.

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Expat (USA)

Oct 20, 2018 09:29am

I was under the impression that this fresh college graduate will be replaced by a senior career diplomat. I guess IK has taken a u-turn.

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Hedonist

Oct 20, 2018 09:32am

Looks like he bribed to get this plum posting in USA.

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Fareed N

Oct 20, 2018 09:33am

Hope this youngman is not under the influence of Husain Haqqani, we don't want another scandal.

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Oct 20, 2018 09:34am

NAB to please make proper efforts for the recovery of amount. Hope he is called back so as to put him at the right place which is jail.

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Fareed N

Oct 20, 2018 09:37am

Remember how strongly PTI condemned his appointment by ex PM Abbasi. He is still our envoy in the US. Has anyone questioned IK?

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Oct 20, 2018 09:54am

Why PTI government is not removing him from his position? This remains a mystery to be solved.

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BhaRAT

Oct 20, 2018 10:22am

Why he’s not fired yet?

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Khan

Oct 20, 2018 10:34am

Former prime minister must be summoned along with him.

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Shib

Oct 20, 2018 10:50am

It is not a joke or mockery that the current Ambassador to US is wanted in criminal cases of the country which he is representing and yet the law enforcing agencies are unable to summon him...Why he is still an Ambassador...Once the corruption investigation was initiated...He should have called back immediately and a competent Career Diplomat ishliye have been appointed to such important assignment..Is the current goverment is such a niave or what.....The nation wants the answer from the government .....

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Ahmed

Oct 20, 2018 10:55am

Why doesn't PTI which has been so vocal about his appointment call him back.

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Mustafa

Oct 20, 2018 11:08am

Don’t think PTI has permission to remove him SMQ talks big but can’t change a thing without nod from somewhere

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Aijaz

Oct 20, 2018 12:05pm

He should have been removed by new govt on the first day.

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FIDA SAYANI

Oct 20, 2018 12:11pm

This Ambassador should be fired from his job.

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Tarik

Oct 20, 2018 12:54pm

Elites are above law, like the untouchables of power! Why IK is still keeping him? Where is the change?

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Adnan Shah

Oct 20, 2018 01:19pm

Now it's your government. Replace him.

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IQBAL HADI ZAIDI

Oct 20, 2018 02:01pm

Both in hand and glove! Former PM Abbasi appointed him as our Ambassador to US not only that he has no relevant qualification and experience but also he is accused of corruption charges and perhaps his name was on ECL too but being a blue eyed PM posted him to US. Our incumbent foreign minister should have removed him in 1st day but he ignored is not understood at least by me. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

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Danish

Oct 20, 2018 02:17pm

He should be send to prison for life for illegal business activities. All his assets must confiscated and money should pay to IMF loan.

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Oct 20, 2018 02:21pm

@IQBAL HADI ZAIDI . What does it show when a corrupt person once placed on ECL for corruptions is appointed as ambassador to US?

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M. Emad

Oct 20, 2018 04:00pm

Another Hussain Haqqani !

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Ayub

Oct 20, 2018 07:09pm

But there is no competent person in the present lot of the foreign office to replace him.

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M. Saeed

Oct 20, 2018 07:25pm

Why is the PM still keeping the tainted man as the ambassador to US?

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Chacha

Oct 21, 2018 02:59am

Where is PTI government

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Khalid Iqbal

Oct 21, 2018 03:52am

Amazing , how can such a large amount be transferred In personnel account, was tax revenue paid on this amount , was the gift tax paid , it’s like some people don’t have to respect or follow the law.

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