RAWALPINDI: The National Accountability Bureau on Friday summoned former federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur for investigation into corruption of in the case retitled from ‘Al-Qadir Trust reference’ to the ‘National Crime Agency £190 million scandal’ against former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Through the office of Dera Ismail Khan DPO, the Rawalpindi NAB sent a call-up notice to Gandapur to appear before the bureau’s Central Investigation Team on September 13.
The notice states that in the federal cabinet meeting held on December 3, 2019, former prime minister Imran Khan sought the approval of the cabinet to spend £190 million in personal interest instead of depositing it in the national treasury through a secret agreement in a sealed envelope.
The notice further states that since Gandapur was also present in the cabinet meeting, therefore, he should join the investigation and record his statement in this matter.
NAB launched an investigation against Imran, his wife Bushra Bibi and others for the alleged gain of hundreds of canals of land in the name of Al-Qadir University Trust, which reportedly caused a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer.
According to the NAB charges, the deposed premier and others allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion — £190 million at the time — sent by Britain’s NCA to the Pakistani government.
They also face charges of receiving undue benefits in the form of over 458 kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala in Sohawa to set up the Al-Qadir University.
Later, then prime minister Imran acquired approval of the settlement with the Britain’s crime agency from his cabinet on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement.
It was decided that the money would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon.
On May 9, Imran was arrested in connection with the case from the premises of the Islamabad High Court by dozens of Rangers personnel, triggering countrywide protests.
However, on May 11, the Supreme Court came to his rescue, declaring that his arrest was “illegal” and ordered his release.
On May 12, the Islamabad High Court stopped the authorities from arresting the PTI chairman in any case, including undisclosed ones, filed against him anywhere in the country till May 15.
It also granted the PTI chief interim bail for two weeks in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
