Islamabad (Staff Report): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar on Friday claimed that over 10,000 foreign properties owned by Pakistanis have been traced.
Addressing a news conference along with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in Islamabad, Shahzad Akbar said that members of Asset Recovery Unit have been selected.
Akbar said that details of foreign assets and 10,000 properties owned by Pakistanis in the United Kingdom (UK) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been traced.
He said that lists of properties have been divided into two portions, one for politically exposed people and one for rest of the people.
PM’s special assistant informed that the officials from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will investigate the cases.
He said a progress report of the recovery unit is being submitted in Supreme Court fortnightly.
“Attorney General has prepared a draft for legislation to stop money laundering which will be presented in next cabinet meeting for approval”, he added.
He said government is also working to ratify treaty with Switzerland to get information about Swiss accounts.
Shahzad Akbar said the government has decided to investigate Panama and Paradise leaks thoroughly.
The special assistant said notices will be issued for payable amount to former Chief Minister Punjab and his family for using Prime Minister's helicopter.
Speaking on the occasion Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the task force to bring back money from abroad is being headed by Shahzad Akbar.
"There are three fundamental points of the government’s policy which are crackdown against corruption and making the environment favourable for foreign investors and local businessmen," he added.
Fawad said notices have been issued to 157 people who have not filed their tax returns.
He said attracting foreign investment facilitating businessmen and crackdown on corruption are three pillars of government's economic policy.