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Imran Khan free of Panama-like suspicion: SC judge
Islamabad, Dec 16 (IANS) Justice Faisal Arab, a member of a Supreme Court bench that exonerated the PTI Chairman, has said that Imran Khan did not incorporate offshore company Niazi Services Limited to park assets acquired through embezzlement, bribery or tax evasion to keep them hidden from the public eye.
Comparing the case of Khan with the so-called Panama Papers case in which Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as Prime Minister, Justice Arab said that Khan’s case was that of acquisition of an asset from legitimate tax-paid income earned abroad and that too at a time when he was a non-resident Pakistani holding no public office, Dawn online reported.
“Therefore, Khan cannot be perceived with the same suspicion,” Justice Arab said in a note.
Referring to the reliance by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi’s counsel Muhammad Akram Sheikh on the Panama Papers case, Justice Arab said that in that case serious allegations of money laundering, corruption and possession of assets beyond known sources of income were made against Sharif.
But the sources of acquiring several assets were not satisfactorily explained by Sharif and his family members, the note said.
It said that non-disclosure of unspent salary income from Capital FZE, which had been accumulating for a period of time, was treated as concealment of asset in the Panama Papers case, whereas in the present case, the ownership of London flat was disclosed by Khan in his nomination form filed in 2002 general elections.
The apex court had rejected a petition seeking the disqualification of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s chief from Parliament in a foreign-funding case but ruled against his close aide and party’s Secretary General Jahangir Khan Tareen on Friday.
The cricketer-turned-politician was facing allegations of hiding his assets, owning offshore company and running the party with the help of foreign funding.
Khan’s aide Tareen was disqualified for life by the court in the same case. The case was launched last year on PML-N leader Abbasi’s request against Khan and Tareen.
Reacting to the decision, PML-N leader and federal Minister Daniyal Aziz said that Tareen was made a scapegoat to save Khan.
“If the decision had been fair, Imran Khan and the PTI would not be around anymore,” said Aziz.
In a tweet, Maryam Nawaz said the Friday’s verdict by the top court proved that the verdict in the case of Nawaz Sharif was unjust.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.