NAB requests interior ministry to place Dar's name on ECL: sources

• Published date: 17 November 2017
• Publication title: Regional Times

The National Accountability Burea (NAB) on Thursday requested the Interior Ministry to add Finance Minister Ishaq Dar's name to the Exit Control List.

The finance minister, who has skipped four court hearings on account of medical treatment, is accused by NAB of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income.

A corruption reference pertaining to Dar's owning assets disproportionate to his known sources of income was filed by the NAB in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case.

The accountability court hearing the corruption case against Dar - who is in London to receive medical treatment for his heart condition - issued non-bailable warrants after the minister failed to appear in court for the fourth time on November 14.

The court also issued a notice to Dar's guarantor for failing to ensure the presence of the minister and adjourned the hearing until November 21.

At the last hearing, Dar's secondary counsel, Ayesha Hamid, requested the court to grant her client exemption from appearance on medical grounds and continue with the case by approving the appointment of a legal representative (pleader).

However, Judge Mohammad Bashir dismissed the request and ordered the continuation of the bailable warrants.

He also ordered Dar's guarantor to ensure the minister's presence at the next hearing or be prepared to have the Rs5 million surety bond confiscated.

At the November 2 hearing, the accountability court approved NAB's request to freeze Dar's assets.

All accounts belonging to Dar, except those operated by accountant general revenue, were to be frozen after the court order.

The bureau froze the assets after its chairman ordered to do so on October 18 but it needed the court's endorsement...