Atta Tarar criticizes PTI for using religion as shield in £190m case
LAHORE, Jan 18: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to refrain from using religion in politics for its vested interests.
Addressing a press conference alongside religious scholars on Saturday, he criticised the PTI for resorting to religious sentiments after failing to present a legal defence in the £190 million case, which he described as an “open-and-shut” matter with no ambiguities or legal loopholes.
The minister challenged the PTI to clarify whether the £190 million recovered by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) was handed over to Pakistan and questioned if the money was returned to the same individual from whom it was confiscated.
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Calling the case one of Pakistan’s most significant legal verdicts, Tarar accused the PTI of using religion to conceal corruption. He alleged that during PTI’s tenure, Shahzad Akbar, head of the Asset Recovery Unit, confirmed to the NCA in 2020 that the funds had been recovered and transferred to Pakistan. However, Tarar claimed the funds were returned to the original offender following cabinet approval in a sealed envelope.
Terming it the largest robbery in Pakistan’s history, Tarar pointed out that PTI’s founder and other accused were convicted in the case. He questioned the source of wealth used by the PTI leader and his wife to purchase a luxury home worth Rs 250 million and a 200-kanal property in Lahore. He also alleged that PTI leadership demanded five-carat diamond rings and misused public funds.
The minister stressed that the recovered money was meant for Pakistan’s welfare, including education, health, and infrastructure projects, but was instead returned illegally to the offender. He criticized PTI’s actions at sacred sites, such as Masjid-e-Nabwi, where political protests disrespected the sanctity of the mosque.
Regarding the Al-Qadir Trust case, Tarar alleged that PTI gave the trust a religious facade while using it for personal gain. He highlighted that constructing a mosque or religious institution with stolen money is impermissible.
He stated that the corruption and scandals of the former prime minister had made global headlines, yet the PTI continues to exploit religion for political gain. Tarar demanded that religion should not be used as a tool in politics, asserting that politics does not hold the sanctity that religion does.
Concluding his remarks, Tarar assured that the government is committed to recovering stolen national wealth for public welfare. Religious scholars present at the event echoed his views, urging political leaders not to use religion as a cover for corruption.
