LAHORE: An accountability court on Tuesday handed over Asif Hashmi, former chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on 15 days physical remand, in illegal investment case.
Earlier, the NAB officials produced him beforeAccountability Court Judge Muhammad Azam and sought his physical remand for investigation into alleged illegal investments made with Highlink Capital (Pvt) Limited. The officials submitted that the investment caused a loss ofRs1.87 billion to the national exchequer and the accused headed the ETPB investment committee, which had sanctioned theapproval for the purpose. They further submitted that formerchairman had signed all minutes of the committee’s meeting.
The court was also appraised that the accused was also facing illegal recruitments and plot allotment references.
At this, the court handed over Asif Hashmi to NAB tillApril 4, and ordered for his production in the court onexpiry of the remand term. Hashmi served as the ETPB chairperson between 2008 and 2013. After completing his tenure, he left for Dubai.
Hashmi returned to Pakistan on February 10, 2018, and theFIA arrested him from Supreme Court premises after it was revealed that he did not secure bail in some cases against him during a Supreme Court proceeding on Feb 15.
Hashmi is wanted by both the FIA and National Accountability Bureau in different cases with regard to land deals, illegal recruitment, etc.