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of Court martial proCeedings initiated Welfare Balochistan’s people top priority of govt: pm against lt gen (r) Faiz Hameed: ispr Tuesday, 13 August, 2024 I | 7 Safar, 1446
FORMER SPY CHIEF ‘TAKEN INTO MILITARY CUSTODY’
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ISLAMABAD
PROBE INTO COMPLAINTS LAUNCHED ON APEX COURT’S DIRECTIVES
STAFF REPORT
ORMER intelligence chief Faiz Hameed has been placed under military custody, and proceedings for his court martial have commenced in relation to the Top City housing scheme scandal, according to a statement from the army’s media wing on Monday. The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a press release that, “In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a thorough court of inquiry was conducted by the Pakistan Army to verify the accuracy of the complaints lodged against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) in the Top City Case.” The release further stated, “As a result, appropriate disciplinary measures have been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act.” Additionally, the ISPR revealed, “Multiple violations of the Pakistan
Army Act committed after retirement have also been confirmed. The process for a Field General Court Martial has begun, and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody.” In April, the military reportedly formed an inquiry committee to investi-
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 44 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
gate the allegations of misuse of authority against the former spymaster, who once led the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). According to media reports, the committee was established as a demonstration of self-accountability and was chaired by a serving major general.
The committee was reportedly created in response to directives from the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Defence. The management of Top City, a private housing scheme, had leveled serious accusations against the former ISI chief, alleging that he had orchestrated a raid on the offices and residence of its owner, Moeez Khan. In November 2023, the Supreme Court directed the owner of the housing society to approach relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, to address his grievances against the former intelligence chief and his associates. The newly established inquiry committee is expected to compile its findings and submit a report to the relevant authorities, according to the reports. Meanwhile, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has emphasised that the military’s self-accountability system is a strict, transparent, and continuous process that operates without bias.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday held a meeting with a delegation led by President National Party Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and discussed the overall political situation in Balochistan province. Senator Jan Muhammad Jamali and member National Assembly Pullain Baloch were part of the delegation. During the meeting, the prime minister said welfare and well being of the people of Balochistan was the top priority of the government, adding steps were being taken to provide equal opportunities of employment to youth of Balochistan. Dr Abdul Malik Baloch thanked the prime minister for solarization of agriculture tubewells in Balochistan. He said the solarization of agriculture tubewells fulfilled a longstanding demand of farmers of Balochistan and such measures were a positive step towards the development and prosperity of Balochistan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar and Advisor to Prime Minister for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah were present in the meeting.
Influential sugar mills linked to ruling parties default on Rs23b loans taken from National Bank g
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MORE THAN HALF OF DEFAULTED AMOUNT IS BEING ATTRIBUTED TO MILLS OWNED BY OMNI GROUP WHICH IS ALLEGEDLY CLOSE TO PRESIDENT ZARDARI. RAMZAN SUGAR MILLS IS ALSO A MAJOR DEFAULTER EXCLUSIVE PROFIT AHMAD AHMADANI
At least 25 sugar mills owned by influential individuals with ties to the country’s political elite have defaulted on loans worth over Rs 23 billion taken from the state owned National Bank of Pakistan (NBP).
The revelations came to light as part of an audit of NBP and revealed a number of major defaulters. Many of these defaulters have strong and often direct ties to government politicians. The sugar industry in Pakistan is one of the most powerful in the country. Almost all of the 91 sugar mills in the country are owned by household name politicians and their families, all of whom belong to different political parties. Profit has covered the nexus between sugar barons and politicians in the past.
Sources familiar with the matter that have shown Profit the relevant documents said that a significant portion of this debt— approximately Rs 12 billion—is attributed to eight sugar mills operated by Anwar Majid’s Omni Group. Mr Majid and his Omni Group came to national prominence some years ago due to their alleged involvement with President Asif Ali Zardari. The group was also the subject of a Supreme Court case that also involved the President.
And they aren’t the only ones accused of defaulting. The Sharif family’s Ramadan Sugar Mill is another notable defaulter, with an outstanding loan of Rs 2.59 billion. Meanwhile, Ramzan Sugar Mill has failed to repay a loan of Rs 62 crores to the National Bank, further compounding the institution's financial woes. The situation has brought to light the dire state of debt recovery and financial management within the National Bank, raising concerns about the potential waiver of
these massive debts, said sources. According to available documents, NBP has admitted its failure to collect these debts, acknowledging the losses incurred due to its inability to secure repayment. The Auditor General has criticised the National Bank for its negligence in not securitizing these loans as per policy, pointing to weak financial management and a lack of accountability within the institution.
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