Clarification

ISLAMABAD: Waseem Gulzar has issued a clarification to a ‘news item’ about Panama Leaks, published in the News on Monday newspaper. His statement said: “Amongst others, it has also been published that ‘one such off shore’ company has been registered in my name and then somehow it has been linked with or attributed to Chaudhry Brothers (well known politicians of Pakistan).

“The confusion caused or delusion created by this news item as ‘published’ must be clarified to my extent. Therefore, I address this letter to you to say that the way the news was published is completely false and incorrect. I have to state as under: In 2012, I was just planning to do ‘trading business’ mainly importing from a foreign country and exporting that to a foreign country.

“Therefore I legally obtained the services of ‘Corporate Management Services Limited (‘CMSL’)’, a Hong Kong based company for ‘incorporation of an offshore company’ in British Virgin Island in the name and style of “Everbright Associates Inc” on 20-11-2012. This was incorporated as a “single member” company. It was incorporated through that company i.e. CMSL and I was the “sole” shareholder and “sole” director of this company. Its paid up capital was ONLY a ‘Dollar’ i.e. US$1. This was absolutely lawful and legal. 

“However, I could not plan to proceed with my business as contemplated, therefore I never renewed this company i.e. never obtained its incorporation documents and never renewed it after a year. So, the so-called ‘licence’ of this company expired and was never restored. Thus, the company except for its name and its previous record, does not exist anymore. Through this company or otherwise, I never had any bank account in British Virgin Island. This company never had any bank account, any staff or any business transaction whatsoever. This remained dormant from day one as my plan would not proceed. “At the end, I would add once again that, in any case, this had no link whatsoever with Chaudhry brothers and anyone else whatsoever.”