ISLAMABAD - The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has summoned former finance minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Tarin to appear in person today (Wednesday) in connection with an investigation into the leaked audio controversy.
The two controversial audios, attributed to Tarin, which went viral on social media in the last week of August had apparently exposed PTI’s plans to scuttle the coalition government’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for revival of Pakistan’s loan programme.
In the last week of August, IMF had agreed to release a tranche of $ 1.1 billion to Pakistan through revival of the Extended Fund Facili ty Programme after the latter met all conditions of the lender. The two controversial leaked audio recordings having detailed conversation of Tarin with the provincial finance ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) had surfaced on TV channels in which, Tarin can be heard directing both the finance ministers to tell the federal government that they would not be able to commit the provincial budgets surplus due to floods— a prerequisite of the IMF to approve the funding. The FIA notice said that an inquiry has been initiated against Tarin on the basis of his alleged audio call to KP Finance Minister Jhagra.
The notice said that in case of non-appearance, it will be assumed that you (Tarin) have nothing to present in your defence and legal action will be initiated against you.
Meanwhile, the Cyber Crime Wing has raided Islamabad-based company office of PTI’s Information Technology Minister for Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) government, Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal in connection with a probe into alleged misuse of funds being collected through a website www.namanzoor.com. On Sept 13, an FIA team had seized mobile phones, laptops and USBs from the house of PTI Senator Saifullah Khan Nyazee for forensic analysis in connection with the same inquiry. A social media page of PTI states that namanzoor.com website has been launched to get donations from the Pakistanis to support the struggle of party chairman Imran Khan against the regime change through a foreign conspiracy