Maryam’s ‘suspicious transaction’ sparks concern

ISLAMABAD: Barrister Shahzad Akbar, the special assistant to prime minister on accountability, on Wednesday voiced concern over suspicious transaction and purchasing of number of shares of Ch Sugar Mills, worth Rs 900 million, by Maryam Nawaz, during the tenure of last Pakistan Muslim League-N government.

Maryam was allegedly found involved in buying shares of Ch Sugar Mills from a foreign citizen, he told a private news channel.

The question arises about a heavy amount that Maryam used for purchasing the shares, he said. In the past, the cases of corruption were concealed and closed through pressure tactics used by last government, he said. In reply to a question, Barrister Shahzad said that a $20 million, loan was taken by Ch Sugar Mills from Chandron Jersy Company Pvt Ltd, and later, the money was transferred to the sugar mills. It may be mention here that the Jersy Company was created to fund $20 million for the sugar mills.

A suspicious transaction, he said, was reported in January 2018 regarding the sugar mills, he said.

In October 2018, a thorough investigation was started against the mills, he added.

The current government was determined to wipe out corruption from society and for this, all measures were being taken to speed up the process of accountability without any discrimination, Shahzad said.