Shabbar Zaidi explains reason for leaving FBR

KARACHI: Former FBR head Shabbar Zaidi disclosed that he had quit his job due to “pressures from disguised mafia”, among other reasons.

“Glad to see politico social awareness in the masses. Just shared some thoughts on ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Key Sath’ yesterday night. Public listened, that is enough. I left FBR, pressures from disguised mafia, hypocrisy of so called intelligentsia. Imran Khan on right path. With him,” tweeted Mr Zaidi, a day after his appearance in the show.

“Kamran Khan Sahib. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to say something in your program. An excellent host. There cannot be any correction unless we understand the ground realities. I know it. With the support of the people like you and political strength of IK we will do.”

The former FBR chief also urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to “re-examine” his government’s decision to move the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad.

“PIA’s Management, Ministry of Aviation, CAA and the Cabinet should review the decision of transfer of PIA Headquarter to Islamabad. Having been directly associated with the company for over 30 years I do not see cogent reason. Imran Khan Sahib is suggested to re-examine,” he wrote.

In a sensational claim at PMC webinar on Tuesday,  he claimed Pakistanis own $150bn in overseas bank accounts and are earning peanuts in the wake of lower interest rates.

“The time has come for these businessmen to think about bringing back the huge sum of money to Pakistan,” he said.

He also said that Pakistan’s tobacco industry was the largest undocumented sector in the country.