'Illegal assets and money laundering': Farah Khan appears on NAB's radar, to face inquiry

Islamabad: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Thursday authorised an inquiry against Farah Khan, a close friend of former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi.

Khan will face allegations of accumulating "illegal assets beyond known sources of income, money laundering, and maintaining various accounts in the name of businesses".

The corruption watchdog has directed NAB DG Lahore to initiate an inquiry against her as per the law.

According to a press release issued by NAB earlier today, "huge turnover amounting to Rs847 million was found in her [bank] account during the last three years" which it said is not commensurate with her stated account profile.

"These credits were received in her personal account and withdrawn immediately after credit within a short time period," it stated, noting that several "adverse" media reports had been found where Farah — referred to in the statement as Farhat Shahzadi (Alias Farah Khan) — was alleged of "being involved in [acquiring] assets beyond legal means".

NAB also said that in a review of Farah's income tax returns, it was observed that her assets "significantly increased" from 2018 onwards "for unknown reasons".

"Moreover, she has been frequently travelling to foreign jurisdictions; nine times to the USA and six times to the UAE," it added.