LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has opened a probe against PML-N’s Khokhar brothers for their alleged involvement in money laundering and land grabbing, summoning them on Dec 7.

Prior to the FIA investigation, the Anti-Corruption Establish-ment (ACE) had also initiated a probe against the PML-N former lawmakers for alleged illegal land transfer, grabbing.

The FIA’s anti-corruption wing on Saturday served notices to MNA Afzal Khokhar, former MPA Saiful Malook Khokhar and Shafi Khokhar, directing them to appear before it’s investigators with relevant record, warning them that in case of non-appearance action would be taken against them.

The Khokar brothers are said to be ‘major’ financiers of the PML-N and considered close to the deposed premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter party vice president Maryam Nawaz.

The call-up notices issued to the Khokhars read, “It [FIA] is conducting a criminal inquiry/investigation with respect to the charges of money laundering of proceeds of land grabbing and various other crimes. As per the evidence collected so far it has transpired that you have been involved in organised land grabbing in Lahore and it’s outskirts. Moreover, it has come to fore that you (Khokhar brothers) have been involved in money laundering and have amassed assets which are disproportionate to your known sources of income (through proceeds of crime).”

The FIA asked them to appear in person before it’s investigators and “answer such questions as may be put you truthfully and honestly on Dec 7, 9am at it’s Temple Road office without fail.”

“You will be required to explain the sources of assets acquired and disposed of by you through your frontmen. You will also be required and explain the huge structured cash deposits and huge turnovers in your bank accounts. You are required to bring along all documentary evidence in support of your claim pertaining to the above allegations.”

The FIA warned that failure to comply with this call up notice would entail that “you have nothing to say in your defence and the agency may proceed to take cognizance against you on the charges of money laundering on the basis of evidence available against you.”

The PML-N has accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of unleashing FIA and ACE on it’s leaders in, what it called, ‘frivolous’ cases.

The opposition believes that the PTI government has expedited action against its leaders in an effort to fail the Pakistan Democratic Movement agitation aimed at ousting the premier.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2020