NAB to probe allegations of assets beyond means, money laundering against Sharjeel Memon

Published July 8, 2019
former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. — DawnNewsTV/File
former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. — DawnNewsTV/File

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) approved an investigation against former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon over allegations of corruption and money laundering, a press release by the anti-corruption watchdog said on Monday.

Memon is accused of owning assets beyond known sources of income and will be probed under Section 9(v) of the NAB Ordinance. Section 9(v) of the NAB Ordinance says: "If [a public office holder] or any of his dependents or benamidars owns, possesses, or has any right or title in any movable or immovable property or pecuniary resources disproportionate to his known sources of income, which he cannot reasonably account for."

According to the press release, Memon, his dependents or benamidars own the following assets, sources of which are not known.

  • 270 acres of agricultural land worth more than Rs300 million in the name of Memon and his mother
  • Rawal Farm House that is worth more than Rs1 billion
  • Cotton factory in Hyderabad district
  • Three plots DHA in Memon's mother's name
  • Flats and villas in Memon and his wife's name
  • Six plots in Karachi's Site area in the name of Memon's personal secretary Izhar Hussain, driver Subhan and property agent Agha Ahsan.

Allegations of Rs1.1bn money laundering will also be probed against the former minister.

Memon is also accused of awarding advertisements at 'exorbitant rates' when he was Sindh's information minister. He was arrested by the accountability bureau in 2017 but is currently out on bail.

NAB had last month issued his arrest warrants in the case pertaining to accumulation of assets beyond known income but a Sindh High Court bench suspended them through an interim order.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...