ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, and National Heritage, Attaullah Tarar on Thursday revealed explosive details about a £190 million corruption scandal, which he claimed to be one of the largest financial frauds in Pakistan’s history.
In an impassioned press conference, Tarar outlined the involvement of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, particularly party founder Imran Khan, in this massive scandal, underscoring the irrefutable evidence linking senior PTI figures to the illicit financial dealings.
The case, which revolves around misappropriated funds allegedly benefiting PTI’s top brass and their close allies, has shaken the political landscape. According to Tarar, the evidence presented in court is so compelling that even independent observers have refrained from exonerating the accused.
The scandal centers on the confiscation of £190 million by the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom from a prominent business tycoon. Tarar claimed that the NCA’s decision to hand this money over to the Pakistani government further solidifies the link between the funds and the political elite.
“Why would the NCA, after seizing the money, give it directly to the government of Pakistan unless it belonged to the people of Pakistan?” Tarar asked, emphasizing that the sum was rightfully Pakistan’s and connected to state mismanagement.
Tarar’s allegations also shed light on the murky dealings of PTI leadership, which he claims used their political power to illegally divert state resources for personal gain. The minister revealed that the NCA’s investigation spanned five countries, but despite its far-reaching nature, the evidence tied directly back to the political elites of Pakistan. “The NCA didn’t just confiscate this money.
They handed it over to the Pakistani government because it was money that rightly belonged to the people of Pakistan,” Tarar stated. The minister’s comments suggest that these funds were illicitly funneled through PTI networks, implicating the party’s leadership in a far-reaching corruption scandal.
At the center of these accusations is PTI’s founder, Imran Khan. Tarar took particular issue with Khan’s past claims of not having a personal source of income, questioning how the former prime minister could afford to build a mansion worth Rs 250 million in Lahore’s upscale Zaman Park neighborhood.
“Imran Khan is the only leader in Pakistan’s history who openly admitted to having no source of income,” Tarar pointed out, challenging Khan to explain how he managed to acquire such wealth if it wasn’t tied to illicit funds. Tarar’s criticism underscores the contradictions between Khan’s public statements and the wealth accumulated under his leadership.
Tarar went on to explain how the £190 million scandal unfolded, tracing it back to a cabinet decision taken during the PTI government’s tenure. According to the minister, a critical decision was made through a sealed envelope process, a practice that raised immediate questions about transparency.
This decision, Tarar alleges, paved the way for a business tycoon to settle a fine with the government—a move that ultimately resulted in massive financial gain for the PTI leadership. “It is through this envelope, sealed and hidden from public view, that billions of rupees were funneled into the pockets of PTI’s top officials,” Tarar claimed.
The minister named several individuals, including Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife, and Farah Gogi, a close associate of the former prime minister, who are allegedly linked to this corruption. “The hands of these individuals are stained with the wealth of the Pakistani people,” Tarar declared, asserting that they played pivotal roles in facilitating this grand financial scheme.
The connections between these figures and the scandal are not merely speculative, according to the minister, but have been substantiated by concrete evidence presented in court.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Tarar expressed confidence that justice would prevail. “The evidence is clear, and I trust that the courts will ensure accountability,” he said, adding that no one, not even influential political leaders, should be above the law. The case, still ongoing in trial courts, is expected to unravel more details about the extent of the PTI leadership’s alleged involvement in this financial misdeed.
While discussing the broader implications of the scandal, Tarar stressed that the PTI’s corruption didn’t only affect the political class, but had serious repercussions for Pakistan’s economy. He pointed out that the PTI government’s financial mismanagement during its tenure had contributed to skyrocketing inflation, ballooning public debt, and a general economic decline. “Under PTI’s rule, Pakistan’s economy went into freefall. The people bore the brunt of this disastrous economic strategy,” Tarar lamented. His remarks reflect the deep frustration felt by many Pakistanis who are still reeling from the economic missteps of the previous government.
The minister also highlighted the actions of PTI figures who, after their party’s defeat, fled the country. He specifically called out Shahzad Akbar, Farah Gogi, and Shahbaz Gill, accusing them of abandoning Pakistan when they were needed most. “These individuals took refuge abroad when the heat was on. Now, it’s time for them to come back and face justice,” Tarar asserted. His words suggest a growing public impatience with figures who evade accountability by fleeing the country.
In his closing remarks, Tarar made it clear that the government would not allow any political negotiations to hinder the pursuit of justice in corruption cases. “The £190 million scandal is too significant to be swept under the rug. We will not allow any deal to whitewash these crimes,” he declared, reinforcing the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. Tarar’s firm stance indicates that the government will not entertain any concessions for those involved in high-profile corruption cases.
Furthermore, Tarar took the opportunity to tout some of the positive economic developments that have taken place since the new government took power. He pointed to improvements in Pakistan’s credit ratings by Fitch and Moody’s, as well as the restoration of Pakistan International Airlines flights to Europe, as signs of an economic recovery.
“Despite the challenges left behind by the previous government, we have turned things around,” he said, highlighting the decline in inflation and the overall stability that has been achieved in the past year.
The £190 million scandal continues to unfold, but it has already become a focal point of Pakistan’s political and legal landscape. As the case moves forward, the PTI leadership is under increasing pressure to explain their wealth and connections to illicit financial activities.
With mounting evidence and growing public scrutiny, it remains to be seen whether justice will be fully served, and whether those responsible for this unprecedented financial scandal will be held accountable.
