Sindh CM records statement before NAB in fake accounts case.

ISLAMABAD -- Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah recorded his statement at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) headquarters in Islamabad on Monday, in a case pertaining to money laundering of billions through fake accounts.

Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Omni Group's Anwar Majeed and his son Abdul Ghani Majeed, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairperson Lawai, Summit Bank Senior Vice-President Taha Raza are among those being investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the anti-graft watchdog separately.

The matter is also being heard by the Supreme Court. Amid complaints from the FIA and barbs flying in the top court, former CJP Nisar had ordered the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to quicken the pace of the investigation. Murad's name appeared in the JIT report alongside Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The Sindh chief minister was quizzed for one hour and thirty minutes.

Speaking to the media after recording statement, Murad lamented that the JIT report was based on lies. 'The report is flawed,' he said. 'But I have nothing to hide and I have told NAB that I will cooperate.'

'The JIT itself admitted that Bilawal and I were not linked. I think the case is very weak. The federal government's actions after the JIT was announced, were premptive.'

The PPP leader also expressed dismay at the transfer of case from Karachi to Islamabad. 'We have already raised jurisdiction issues. Our experience with Rawalpindi has not been great.'

'PPP leaders and I flew to the federal capital on our own expenses. When we arrived here, we were escorted by the police. If the hearing had been in Karachi, I would have quietly gone and recorded the statement.'

The case was transferred to Islamabad after a Karachi banking court accepted the anti-graft watchdog's transfer request. The bureau filed the transfer appeal following the Supreme Court's decision in the case wherein the joint investigation team (JIT) report and evidence collected was transmitted to the bureau for further investigations. The case is being heard by accountability court Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik.

Top court orders Bilawal, Shah's names off ECL

The JIT report in a nutshell

According to the report, the JIT identified...