ISLAMABAD: Although involvement of corrupt Pakistanis in mega global financial scams is not new to them but the latest one named as ‘ Swiss Secrets ‘ is yet to expose its real volume and intensity.
Panama Papers had dented Pakistan the most. It made many top Pakistani politicians vulnerable to litigation. It also worked as a catalyst for downfall of Sharifs in Pakistani politics. Three time premier and the most influential politician , Nawaz Sharif , lost his rule for appearing his name in the Panama Papers.
While The Swiss Secrets contains the names of famous personalities from all over the world, only one important name from Pakistan has appeared in these documents so far.
This is the name of former Pakistani ISI chief, General Akhtar Abdul Rehman, who was considered a close associate of former President General Zia-ul-Haq.
On August 17, 1988, General Akhtar Abdul Rehman, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also on board the plane, which killed General Zia-ul-Haq, the US ambassador to Pakistan, and several military officers.
General Akhtar was the head of ISI from 1979 to 1987 when Pakistan was helping Afghan Mujahideen against Russia in Afghanistan with the help of the US and other countries.
The OCCRP report states that remittances from the United States and Saudi Arabia to Pakistan at that time were deposited in CIA accounts in Switzerland. The money was later allegedly transferred to Pakistan’s ISI, whose chief, General Akhtar Abdul Rehman, allegedly arranged arms, training, and supplies for the Afghan Mujahideen.
According to the report, this was the time when a joint account was opened in the name of General Akhtar Abdul Rehman’s three sons, Akbar, Ghazi, and Haroon, on July 1, 1985, in Credit Swiss Bank of Switzerland
Although General Akhtar’s heirs are strongly refuting the claims made in the Swiss Secrets but these claims of General Akhtar ‘s heirs might not be enough to stop appearing of their family elders name in the media. The people of Pakistan are convinced that the Swiss Secrets scam is likely to unmask many more elite who made ill-gotton money and later dumped it in Swiss banks.