Air ticketing fraud: NAB to approach Interpol

[Abbas Ali]

ISLAMABAD (September 02 2006): Prosecutor General, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Irfan Qadir said that Muhammad Riaz Chughtai of King Travel Agency would be arrested through "Red Warrants" by approaching Interpol for this purpose in the Gulf Airlines ticketing fraud case of more than Rs 259 million.

Talking to APP regarding the arrest of Muhammad Riaz, the Prosecutor General said that the NAB had decided to approach Interpol for the issuance of "Red Warrants" to ensure the arrest of the accused as soon as possible.

To a question about the procedure of the issuance of "Red Warrants", the Prosecutor General NAB said, "We will make all efforts for the arrest of the accused of this fraud by exercising powers through NAB ordinance. Red Warrants can be issued by Interpol after the written request of the NAB."

It may be mentioned here that the Supreme Court had already recalled bail of the accused, while accepting the petition of the NAB. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by the accused in which he challenged the jurisdiction of the NAB regarding its powers to investigate the matter between the two private parties.

According to the NAB reference, the wife of Muhammad Riaz was running Kings Travel Agency as Chief Executive and committed fraud of Rs 259 million with the Gulf Airlines on sale of passenger tickets of the airline. She gave to the airline cheques worth millions, which were dishonoured.

Muhammad Riaz Chughtai was arrested by NAB in 2000 and granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in 2001, which was confirmed by the court on November 26 the same year. The accused was also allowed by the court to proceed abroad by suspending his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

Shamim Riaz Chughtai, wife of accused, was also granted bail by the Supreme Court.

The NAB started investigations against them after receiving written request by the Ambassador of the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through President of Pakistan.

According to a letter written by the UAE Ambassador to the President, "The Ambassador made request to the Head of the State for taking up the matter and direct the concerned authorities to investigate and take action against the accused of this fraud."

Source: Business Recorder