ISLAMABAD: Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Monday that it had arrested a former Pakistani government official and his wife for their alleged role in money laundering in the UK. 

“The man and his wife were questioned by the NCA officers and have now been released under investigation,” the NCA said in a statement.

Refusing to divulge details of the couple, as the matter is under investigation, the NCA did not share the names of the two. However, reports circulating in the Pakistani media identified the man as Farhan Junejo, former private secretary of late Makhdoom Amin Faheem -- the ex-federal minister for commerce who was wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in several cases of money laundering. 

“The investigation has been supported by the National Accountability Bureau and the FIA in Pakistan. The couple, who were arrested in Surrey, control a UK property portfolio worth more than £8m for which they appear to have no legitimate source of income,” excerpts from the statement read. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on Accountability Shehzad Akbar term this a major development in the government’s plans to curb the flow of illegally-obtained cash and assets. “We are in contact with the NCA in UK and will work together for asset recovery and extradition in this and other cases. Our new found partnership with the UK will  be replicated in other jurisdictions as well, under the leadership of the PM,” Akbar said in a tweet.

We are in contact with NCA in UK and will work together for asset recovery, extradition in this and other cases. Our new found Partnership with UK will also be replicated in other jurisdictions as well under the leadership of PM @ImranKhanPTI it is indeed #NayaPakistan

— Mirza Shahzad Akbar (@ShazadAkbar) September 17, 2018