ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar has said that the federal government will take on all mafias in the country one by one.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today alongside Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Shahzad Akbar said that everyone will be held accountable, no matter how rich or politically powerful.
Shahzad Akbar said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved a matrix of actions to be taken against those named in the Sugar Forensic Commission Report.
Commenting on the actions, the Special Assistant on Accountability said that seven major actions have been approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He said, “The entire matter of Rs29 billion subsidy given to sugar mill owners will be investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB),” adding, “Any companies that committed violations would fall within NAB’s jurisdiction.”
Akbar further informed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would launch investigations into sales tax fraud, mill owners showing reduced income, and Benami transactions. “The FBR has also been directed to conduct a forensic audit of all mills besides those mentioned in the report,” he added.
Referring to the third action, he said, “The third action PM approved was the investigation of cartelization by the Competition Commission of Pakistan. A new team has been constituted that will submit a report within 90 days.”
The Special Assistant also said that the State Bank of Pakistan would be directed to investigate companies that showed fake exports or who converted foreign remittances into halal income.
“Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) would investigate corporate fraud,” he added. He said that the FIA would also investigate the matter of fake exports to Afghanistan and money laundering. “Investigation would also be launched to find out where provincial laws were broken.”
Concluding the press conference he said that PM Imran has also recommended that a committee be formed under Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar that would determine the cost of production and set the price of sugar accordingly.
ADVERTISEMENT
