JIT for detailed probe into Swati’s assets

ISLAMABAD: A joint investigation team (JIT) probing the misuse of authority and assets of Federal Minister Azam Swati has called for further probe into the issue including allegations of an Arab businessman, Husain Sajwani, against him, The News has learnt.

The JIT report was submitted to the Supreme Court on Monday. The News has obtained exclusive details of the report which is yet to be officially released. It comprises five volumes, each answering the questions raised by the Supreme Court.

The first volume contains details about the fight between Swati’s guards and the poor family of Bajuar whose cow had allegedly trespassed on Swati’s farmhouse on 26th October. The JIT held the minister, his son Usman Swati and guards responsible for the fight with his poor neighbors. The capital police had arrested five members of the poor family including women and children immediately after the scuffle. The JIT report concluded that Swati used his influence on police which took unilateral action against the poor family.

The JIT also confirmed that Pakistani Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) Senator Swati had encroached on the government land near his farmhouse. The JIT cited a report by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) which confirmed the Minister had illegally occupied the government land in Islamabad. The CDA had also issued a notice to the wife of the Minister against whose name the farm-house is registered. The CDA notice also mentioned two other violations of the CDA building rules by Swati.

The JIT was tasked to probe the role of Azam Swati in the abrupt transfer of the Islamabad Inspector General Police (IGP) Jan Mohammad on 27th October a day after the altercation at his farmhouse. The minister while talking to The News had confirmed that he had complained to the Prime Minister and the Senate Chairman about the non-cooperation of IGP despite his dozens of calls. However speaking to the JIT, Swati and other cabinet members did not claim any role in the transfer of IGP. The JIT in its report said the posting and transfer of IGP was the prerogative of the government as per the law.

The JIT also investigated whether the Minster was allowed to travel to the United States as there were media report about a travel ban on the minister for his alleged tax fraud in the United States. The JIT communicated with the US Embassy in Pakistan which informed the team that there was no travel ban on the Minister and he can travel to the US if he has a valid visa. The JIT was also tasked to probe any illegal assets of Azam Swati. The JIT tried to compare the Minister’s assets with his declaration to the Election Commission of Pakistan. But the JIT has concluded that the issue needs further probe as it could not be completed within the stipulated time period. The team also reviewed a video by Hussain Sajwani a businessman from the UAE but could not conclude its probe owing to time restrictions.

Led by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General Irfan Mangi, the JIT, also comprised members of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), began its inquiry against Swati and visited his residence in Islamabad on November 7.

The SC had directed the JIT to probe alleged misconduct on the part of Swati, besides examining the assets of the minister and his children and tax payments. The team was asked to present its report within 14 days. The JIT communicated with a number of people during the probe, and also included Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi in the investigation. Talking to The News Azam Swati had denied allegations of encroachment and misuse of authority. The Minister has also claimed that UAE businessman was a black-mailer and denied the allegations levelled by him.