The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has started quizzing more suspects in connection with the money laundering case against PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday. 

Quoting sources, the TV channel reported that the Bureau had managed to access Narowal-based Usman Yousuf and others via the details obtained from the PML-N leader’s alleged benami company’s bank account: 2002243736.   

The sources have told 24News TV channel that the benami company is registered in the name of Khawaja Asif’s close friend Tariq Mir and Company.

The NAB, during questioning, had placed before Asif the answers given by International Mechanical and Electrical Company (IMECO) MD Ilyas Solum who had provided to the anti-graft watchdog the record of PML-N leader’s employment in the UAE in the name of Iqama. 

The sources said Khawaja Asif allegedly used fake documents to show his ill-gotten wealth as salary drawn from a UAE-based firm.  

According to the record given by Asif to the Bureau, he had received Rs130.6 million in salary from the firm. 

However, the sources added, there are clear discrepancies between the statements given by the PML-N leader and the record provided by MS IMECO. 

Meanwhile, NAB on Wednesday produced Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif before the Accountability Court (AC) in Lahore in connection with assets beyond known sources of income case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Seeking extension in Khawaja Asif’s remand for another 15 days, NAB prosecutor Asif Mumtaz told the court that the PML-N leader was still being interrogated, and that he had not given to the Bureau bank statement which could prove he was receiving salary from a firm in UAE. 

He informed the court that the initial interrogation had revealed the name of Arshad Javed, who was Asif’s close associate, and who would deposit an amount of Rs510 million in the bank account of PML-N leader.    

When the court inquired whether the amount was transferred to Asif’s account, the prosecutor told this was what the NAB team was trying to establish. “That’s why we are asking for a remand for another 15 days since we are collecting data of the exact amount transferred to PML-N leader’s account,” he explained.