Money laundering: FIA summons Bajwa’s relative, two others

He is directed to bring all relevant documents, records, and information with him

By Sher Ali Khalti

June 25, 2024

Former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa in this undated photo. — ISPR/X

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) wing Lahore has summoned Sabir Hameed, also known as Sabir Mithu, a prominent businessman and brother-in-law of former army chief General (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The inquiry against him, which had been previously closed, has been reopened on charges of money laundering. The Punjab Zone anti-money laundering circle of the FIA issued a call notice to Sabir Mithu, requiring his appearance before the agency on June 27, 2024. The notice, available with The News, states:

“This is in pursuant to an ongoing criminal investigation in this agency reopened on the allegation of money laundering of crime proceeds. During the course of inquiry, it has come to fore that you are involved in the sale/purchase of land to different government departments illegally. Subsequently, the proceeds generated through these illegal sales/purchases were laundered and converted into valuable assets. In this regard, you are called upon to appear (in person) before the undersigned on June 27, 2024, at the FIA AML Cell, to explain your position. High volume suspicious transactions into your bank accounts contrary to the declared business profile.”

He is directed to bring all relevant documents, records, and information with him. Failure to comply or not producing the required documents will render him liable to proceedings under sections 174 and 175 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) 1860 in a court of law.

It is pertinent to mention that the inquiry against Sabir Hameed was previously closed after no evidence supporting the allegations leveled against him by his opponents was found. Additionally, the FIA AML has also summoned Chaudhary Muhammad Ashraf Ghurki and Hamid Mushtaq in the same inquiry to bring the relevant records.

Furthermore, the Anti-Corruption Punjab Establishment (ACE) Lahore has also summoned Sabir Hameed, Chaudhary Muhammad Ashraf Ghurki, and Hamid Mushtaq in a separate case related to corruption.