ISLAMABAD - The National Accountability Bureau has sought details from the Federal Bureau of Revenue about the final outcome of an inquiry against Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Sethi in the money-laundering (un-declared assets) case, registered against him in 2010-11.

The NAB has sought the details after completing the complaint verification process in a money-laundering case against Sethi.

Former test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz had filed a formal complaint with the NAB against Sethi, accusing him of money-laundering and possessing assets beyond known sources of income and acquiring overseas properties worth millions of dollars.

According to documents available with The Nation about the authorization of the inquiry: “In case, the FBR apprise that the money-laundering case is still unresolved, then a formal inquiry may be authorized in order to probe the allegations of possessing assets beyond means and match-fixing with bookies under the provisions of NAO 1999.”

Sources said that the NAB would take a decision in the money-laundering and assets beyond known means case against Sethi at the next executive board meeting.   

The documents said that allegations leveled by the complaint (Sarfraz Nawaz) “revolve around undeclared two apartments in Manhattan, New York, income tax return of 2010-11 of Sethi and three sets of documents attached with the complaint mentioned as FBR show-cause notice dated 31-07-2101 and extract from FBR emails regarding Sethi’s undeclared assets, New York City Department of Finance’s property tax bill statement, notice of property values, market values of both the properties involved etc”.

The NAB operation division further said: “Keeping in view that Najam Aziz Sethi presents the status of the holder of a public office as Chairman PCB with a politically exposed person background and the above allegations, the FBR may be asked for apprising on the final outcome of the un-declared assets case of 20110-11. If the FBR says that the case is closed, after considering all the aspects of the case including verification of sources of income involved in the purchase of assets abroad, then the main allegation of tax evasion and money-laundering may again be revisited if required”.

Sarfraz Nawaz had said in his complaint to the NAB: “May I invite your kind attention to the subject matter and to state that having been encouraged on the formation of a judicial commission by the government of Pakistan to investigate the money-laundering scandals of a large number of Pakistani, of which the information has been leaked through Panama Papers, I feel it as my obligation to bring another name in your notice of Sethi, a TV anchor and Chairman Executive Committee of Pakistan Cricket Board. According to the information found to me, he (Sethi) is also involved in money-laundering and acquiring properties worth millions of dollars overseas, and his conduct may also be probed into by your organization and he be taken to task for eliminating corruption from our society, especially being done by those who are occupying public office and defrauding the national exchequer.”