News Analysis |
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has begun the process of declaring former finance minister Ishaq Dar a proclaimed offender for continually failing to join the trial owing to his ailment that is keeping him in London.
A notice warning Dar to appear before the court within 10 days has been placed outside the accountability court. Dar’s failure to comply with the notice will result in him being declared a “Proclaimed Offender”_ something that will deal a severe blow to Dar’s fast-dwindling political career.
In the previous hearing, Dar was declared an absconder while his guarantor was warned that surety bonds worth Rs 5 million would be confiscated if the accused did not join trial proceedings.
Dar is certainly in real trouble; the noose around his neck is tightening as NAB presses ahead and inches closer towards possible conviction.
Much in-line with Dar’s evasive tactics, his guarantor, Ahmed Ali Quddusi had requested three weeks to present the former finance minister before the court. However, the 10-day period will end on 4th December, the day of the next hearing. Dar is expected to be declared a proclaimed offender in the next hearing.
Read more: Ishaq Dar refuses to resign despite pressure from PM, cabinet
With more trouble impending, it remains to be seen how Dar will avert the process of accountability. But with him being granted a three-month leave who and what will incentivize him to come back to Pakistan and face the music?
Seemingly, Dar has thus far only resorted to means of delaying the conduct of the reference rather than challenging the merits of the case. Will such recourse continue or will Dar come up with a new ploy?
Dar’s failure to comply with the notice will result in him being declared a “Proclaimed Offender”_ something that will deal a severe blow to Dar’s fast-dwindling political career.
In the graft reference filed after the unanimous verdict of the Supreme Court in the Panama Case, NAB has alleged that “the accused has acquired assets and pecuniary interests/resources in his own name and/or in the name of his dependents of an approximate amount of Rs 831.678 million (approx)”. The charge sheet also accuses that Dar’s “assets were disproportionate to his known sources of income for which he could not reasonably account for”.
Read more: Accountability court issues non-bailable arrest warrant for Ishaq Dar
The troubles mounted for Dar, when NAB decided to reopen the Rs 1.2 billion Hudaibiya Paper Mills reference against him earlier this month. The case is the second mega corruption scam of Dar.
Despite pressure, Dar did not resign even after his indictment in September. Instead, the Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi granted him a three-month leave. This has compelled people to question as to why Dar is refusing to call it a day.
The charge sheet also accuses that Dar’s “assets were disproportionate to his known sources of income for which he could not reasonably account for”.
Besides, eyebrows are being raised wondering why the ruling party is having trouble finding a replacement for the indicted Dar. Dar is certainly in real trouble; the noose around his neck is tightening as NAB presses ahead and inches closer towards possible conviction. Will the ruling party lend support to Dar in the same way as it is supporting the Sharif family?