NAB re-summons Bilawal Bhutto in Park Lane case on May 17

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has re-summoned PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto in the Park Lane case on May 17. Sources said that Bilawal Bhutto had not yet submitted the replies to the questions asked during the last hearing.

NAB arrests Park Lane’s accountant in fake accounts case

Earlier, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested an accountant of Park Lane Estate Company Private Limited in fake accounts case. The NAB conducted raid at the office of Park Lane Company, reportedly owned by Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, and booked an accountant Muhammad Hanif. The anti-graft watchdog body said that Muhammad Hanif handled all the financial matters of Park Lane Estate Company Private Limited and Parthenon (Pvt) Limited. “The suspect uses benami bank accounts for the transactions of Park Lane Estate Company and Parthenon.” Muhammad Hanif also used fake pay orders and bank drafts for the transactions of the companies reportedly owned by Asif Ali Zardari.

Accused Saleem becomes approver in Park Lane scam

Saleem Faisal, an accused of the Park Lane scam, has decided to become an approver. In a statement to the NAB, Saleem Faisal said that he accomplished all tasks on the orders of the Park Lane administration. He disclosed that he had obtained the loan worth billions of rupees in the name of International Business and Shopping Centre and later misappropriated the loan amount by declaring the plaza a defaulter. Saleem Faisal said that Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto have 25-25% partnership in Park Lane. M/s Park Lane Estate Company (Pvt) Ltd and others on the allegation of illegal transfer of land measuring 118K-14M of compartment No. 34 & 35 of Punjab Forest Department by CDA officials to M/s Park Lane Estate Company (Pvt) Ltd. According to Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) record, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former president Asif Ali Zardari are 50 per cent shareholders of M/s Park Lane Estate Co (Pvt) Ltd. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the revenue officers, in connivance with CDA officers, on application from M/s Park Lane Estate Company (Pvt) Ltd, illegally extended undue benefit to M/s Park Lane Company (Pvt) Ltd through demarcation and handing over possession of 118K-14M forest land. The revenue officers, in order to extend an illegal favour to M/s Park Lane, forged and tampered the revenue record while on the other hand, the CDA officers, by misusing their authority, handed over the possession of the state land to M/s Park Lane Estate. The manager, attorney holder and director of M/s Park Lane Estate Company (Pvt) Ltd were repeatedly summoned, however, they willfully avoided joining the proceedings of the anti-graft body.