Kudwai flees Dubai after Interpol arrest Omni Group CFO

ISLAMABAD: Fearing immediate arrest, Younas Kudwai, one of prime suspects in the fake accounts case, has moved from the UAE after the Interpol arrested the Omni Group’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Arif Khan in Dubai, informed officials told this reporter on Tuesday. Kudwai, who holds the Canadian citizenship, had been living in the UAE since the fake accounts case emerged 14 months ago.

“But he [Kudwai] moved to the UK three months back and then left for Canada. He has become the epicenter of our investigation now. We are trying to catch him through the Interpol but it has become a herculean task for us. His dual nationality is one of stumbling blocks in his immediate arrest and repatriation,” said a senior official of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Arif Khan was arrested in connection with the money laundering case and is expected to be extradited to Pakistan later this week. According to sources, Arif looked after the affairs of five to six companies in Dubai which would send money to over 400 individuals in at least eight countries.

It is reported that Rs25 billion in transactions took place through these companies. Khan is also said to be well-versed in the fake accounts of 12 companies, including the Thatta Sugar Mill.

His arrest is the latest in the money-laundering case being investigated by the FIA. Those under investigation include former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. Close aides to the former president including Hussain Lawai and Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed and his son Abdul Ghani were arrested by FIA last year in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sources informed this reporter that Owais Muzaffar Tappi, the foster brother of Asif Ali Zardari, had not been arrested in Dubai. Earlier, it was reported that Owais Muzaffar had been arrested by the Interpol in Dubai. Owais Muzaffar is accused of illegal land allotment and money laundering.

He is being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau and is accused of misusing authority when he was Sindh local bodies’ minister during the PPP’s tenure.