Imran’s money trail: Main character Rashid occupies important offices in KP

He is important member of Bank of Khyber, Hayatabad Medical Complex and organisation working for street children

PESHAWAR: It has been revealed that Rashid Ali Khan, a close aide of Imran Khan and main character in his money trail, occupies important offices in different organisations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is considered an important figure in the province.

The PTI-led government has appointed him as non-executive director in the Bank of Khyber (BoK) Board of Directors (BoD). He is also an active member of Hayatabad Medical Complex Board of Governors   and an official of the agency established for the street children.

Imran on Tuesday filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court in the case concerning his assets, in which he declared Rashid a close friend who bought the Bani Gala property in Jemima Khan’s name.

Rashid, when contacted, admitted that Jemima in 2002 had transferred $0.65 million to his account on Imran’s instructions, through which he purchased the property in Jemima’s name. All the relevant documents were available, he added.

According to sources, the PTI government gives priority to his decisions and suggestions. He is considered an influential and powerful figure in the BoK and the current managing director, Shams-ul-Qayyum, was also appointed on his recommendations.

Being the chairman of human resources committee, he also has a role in inductions, appointments and transfers in top positions.

The ANP had staged a strong protest in the provincial assembly over Rashid’s appointment as a BoD member. The adjournment motion filed in this connection had called for a probe into the corruption and illegal inductions in the bank.

Rashid told The News that he enjoyed close friendship with Imran who had complete trust in him. Answering a question, he said Imran wasn’t in Pakistan at that time and that’s why the money had been transferred to his account. Imran was in England to sell his London flat and returned the amount to Jemima soon after selling the property, whose documentary proof were available, Rashid claimed.

He said he had ended political interference in the BoK affairs, adding that incompetent and corrupt officials appointed on political basis had been removed due to which some elements were involved in propaganda against him.

According to Rashid, the BoK is earning profit and all the appointments and transfers are merit-based. Pre-selection is conducted for inductions, while panel is formed for interview. Therefore, irregularities in appointments are just out of question.

About his appointment as the BoD member in the BoK, Hayatabad Medical Complex and the institution concerning the street children, Rashid said Imran had complete faith in him and considered him an honest, hard working and able person.

Having served as top official in different capacities, Rashid has extensive experience in banking, finance, consumer market, corporate restructuring, global finance management and business development.

He has served as the Citibank regional head (Europe/London), Al Faisal Investment Bank chief executive and Habib Bank Ltd senior executive vice-president.

Rashid did his MBA from the Cornell University in the United States and also completed other domestic and foreign courses.

Currently, he is Nayatel & Micro Ltd chairman – a company working on broadband wireless and optical fibre. He is also a member/ director of NRSP Microfinance Bank and Pakistan Engineering Council.