Bajwa’s close relative Mitthu faces graft probe
ISLAMABAD: In a major development, the Anti-money Laundering Circle (AMLC) of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Punjab Zone, Lahore, has summoned a billionaire, Muhammad Sabir Hameed, known as Mithu, a close relative of former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, on the allegation of high-volume suspicious transactions.
A FIA notice said that Mithu has been summoned by the AMLC under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC) in Enquiry No 226/2023 of FIA AML Circle and directed to appear before the FIA on Oct.23, 2023.
It cited that the summon was pursuant to an ongoing criminal investigation in the FIA on the allegation of high-volume suspicious transactions into his accounts contrary to the declared business profile.
According to the FIA leter, Mithu maintained 19 bank accounts (14 local and 5 foreign) with the aggregate credit turnover of Rs5.34 billion.
He has been directed to appear before the AML FIA Lahore with all relevant documents and original identity card, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) returns/declaration for periods of 2016 to 2023, personal and business.
Mithu has been directed to bring the list of all countries visited by him and share his purpose of visits. He has been directed to bring the list of all offshore/shell companies and business vehicles held by him, his spouse and family members. He has been directed to bring the record of his national and international assets and his family members as well.
The FIA has sought details of all foreign currency purchases made by him or on his behalf. Furthermore, details of foreign currency taken by him or his spouse or family members out of Pakistan have been sought.
In case of failure or non-compliance, proceedings against him will be held under Section 174,175 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) in a court.
Meanwhile, sources close to Mithu have rebuted the charges mentioned in the notice, saying there is no truth in the allegations and the department has sent the notice on a misunderstanding created by his business rivals.