Imran, Shahbaz common friends in Lahore deny role in hush money offer

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has landed himself in an embarrassingly awkward situation as all the Lahore-based businessmen, who are known for their friendship with the PTI chief and have also links with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, categorically deny receiving any offer from the Sharifs and extending it to the former cricketer.

Imran Khan stated two weeks ago (April 10, ten days before the announcement of Panama case verdict and 46 days after the judgment was reserved on February 23) that one of his close friends, a businessman of Lahore, informed him in Dubai that Shahbaz Sharif offered Rs10 billion for Imran Khan to keep silent on the PanamaLeaks. Imran said that his friend was also close to Shahbaz Sharif and told him that the offer was given some two months ago but he (common friend) could not convey it to the PTI chief in time.

Umar Farooq Goldie, one of the old friends of the PTI chief, who had interests in gold market in the past and at present owns a leading gym ‘Shapes’ in Lahore, is also known to have links with the Sharifs. According to sources, Goldie’s brother Nadeem Cheena has links with the Punjab chief minister. When The News approached Umar Goldie, he simply started laughing. “Impossible. Neither did anyone make any such offer to me nor did I come to know about any such development,” Goldie said.

Qamar Khan Boby, who is not only a close friend of Imran Khan but also his distant relative, was an ex-banker and now a businessman and a financial consultant. Boby, who is a nephew of renowned Lt Gen Zahid Ali Akbar, is also known for his closeness with Shahbaz Sharif. When this correspondent contacted Qamar Boby and questioned him about his relations with both sides, he explained that Shahbaz Sharif is his respected friend whereas Imran Khan is his cousin. Boby categorically denied receiving any offer from Shahbaz Sharif or extending it to the PTI chief. Qamar Boby said that he had not met the Punjab chief minister for many days, so no question arose that he could make such an offer through him. “I came to know about this statement of Imran Khan from newspapers and was thinking to ask Imran about details,” Boby said adding, “Imran Khan should disclose details to avoid confusion on this issue.”

Mubashir, another close friend of Imran Khan, also known as ‘Moby’, is said to have links with the Sharifs. Mubashir used to run a textile business while now has started real estate business in different cities. When The News contacted Mubashir, he also denied in categorical terms saying he did not believe in such thing and never engaged himself in shady deals. He said neither did anybody discuss such a thing with him nor did he come to know about any such whispering around him. 

Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz has also close relations with almost all the political leaders. He has very close relations with Shahbaz Sharif and other members of the Sharif family. Malik Riaz is out of the country and could not be reached.

However, when The News asked his spokesman, he denied any such link of Malik Riaz with this issue. “I can tell you on authority that Malik Riaz was not approached by any side for any such offer,” said Colonel Khalil, the personal staff officer and spokesman for Malik Riaz.

None of the businessmen of Lahore who are known for their friendship with the PTI chief and links with the Punjab rulers is ready to accept making any offer as a bribe to Imran Khan. The PTI chief is left with no option but to disclose the name of the person along with evidence or to face the consequences of leveling the allegation.