NAB team hosted by close aide of Sheikh Rashid in London

LONDON: A senior official and close friend of Awami Mulsim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rashid accommodated two members of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that visited London for a week to probe the ownership of Avenfield apartments owned by Nawaz Sharif’s sons, Hasan and Hussain Nawaz.

A source in the anti-graft body who drew attention towards the pictures which were released by Mansoor Kiyani on social media and expressed concern that the NAB officers had created serious doubts about their conduct by indulging in political activities while being on an official assignment. Pictures show NAB investigating officers Sultan Nazir and Imran Dogar posing with Mansoor Kiyani at the west London’s Pakistani restaurant.

The source told that the NAB officers violated the official protocol by holding meetings with politicians while on official business of sensitive nature which involved investigation against Nawaz Sharif and his children and meeting with the British government officials.

Mansoor Kiyani told The News that he took the NAB officials out for dinner because they were “friends for a long time”.

He said: “I have known Irfan Dogar as a friend and there is nothing wrong in holding meeting, going out and having fun.”

Just around a week earlier at the same venue – Royal Nawaab restaurant in Ealing – AML leader Sheikh Rashid addressed a press conference where Kiyani stood by him. Kiyani has been working for Rashid for a long time.

“I hosted them but we didn’t discuss anything about the official business and it was just a reunion of friends,” Kayani stated.

A source in Pakistan High Commission said that the two NAB officers didn’t contact them for facilitation and cannot comment on their activities in London.

It has been learnt that the NAB team members were taken around London by Kiyani in his car and he remained with them for almost four days.

During the Panama hearings it was revealed that Wajid Zia, head of Joint Investigation Team, engaged his cousin Akhtar Raja at exorbitant rates for assistance in probe in the UK, which attracted huge criticism.