THIS is in continuation of my earlier letter ‘Victims of fraud’ (June 7, 2021). Unfortunately, no resolution of the matter seems to be in sight even though the affectees number over 1,000 and the culprit is one rogue broker who disappeared in January 2017 with their life-long savings and hard-earned money. The Citizens Portal was a ray of hope, but it turned out to be a rigmarole of sorts, simply asking us to approach one government organisation or the other with no meaningful outcome.

My complaint, earlier addressed directly to the prime minister, was re-directed to the portal and I was informed by the office of the chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Oct 18, 2019, that action had been initiated.

My complaint travelled through the layers of the organisation, and I was informed on Nov 14, 2019, that relief cannot be granted as the case was sub judice in a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court. The case was closed.

Since there was no update from the NAB either, I wrote to the portal again twice and each time got a reply that the prime minister office (PMO) cannot intervene in court matters.

I provided negative feedback to the portal, and, as a result, I was informed by the portal that my case had now been forwarded to the FIA Corporate Crime Cell, Lahore, and I was asked to see the deputy director concerned. I met him and gave him the documents he asked for. On June 8, 2021, I received a message, saying: “Partial relief granted — case closed.” Sounded exciting. However, on reading the details, the ‘partial relief’ turned out to be a huge disappointment. The relief mentioned was that my “application has now been marked to another office”.

I again provided negative feedback on the portal on June 12, 2021, and was again directed by the SECP chairman to approach the FIA Corporate Crime cell which I did. I met the deputy director and also gave him copy of the Interpol red warrant dated Dec 3, 2018, issued for the arrest of the culprit.

He told me that the case would be sent to the NAB headquarters in Islamabad as it fell in its domain. And, again, the message said: “Partial relief granted — case closed”. This note in itself is a cruel joke people in distress have to suffer in addition to their own miseries.

I must state that the portal is not serving the purpose that it was designed to. An occasional redressal here and there, flashed with full fanfare in the media, appears to be nothing more than eyewash. It is only serving to damage the credibility of the portal and those who created it.

Determined not to give up, I wrote to the NAB chairman apprising him of the entire case with supporting documents on June 11, 2021, and received his reply that the case had been marked to NAB Lahore as it fell under its jurisdiction.

The authorities should come to our help, and get this criminal extradited to the country to face justice.

Naveed Athar Sheikh
Lahore

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2022