Master Davison, who granted the Interim Order to Broadsheet’s lawyers, ordered that these funds are to be paid to NAB’s lawyers Allen & Overy’s account by August 10 and then released to the Broadsheet’s account by August 13

DNA

LONDON: The London High Court has ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to pay three separate amounts to the Broadsheet LLC by 13 August or else the United National Bank’s London branch will be forced to make payments to the Broadsheet LLC.

After hearing an application brought by the Broadsheet LLC against the Government of Pakistan/NAB, Master Davison issued an order asking the NAB to pay three amounts of £892,521.50 ($1.222,037.90), £110, and additional costs of £26,296.80 to the Broadsheet LLC.

Master Davison, who granted the Interim Order to Broadsheet’s lawyers, ordered that these funds are to be paid to NAB’s lawyers Allen & Overy’s account by August 10 and then released to the Broadsheet’s account by August 13. Davison said in his order that if either of these payments is not made within the prescribed period (i.e. August 13) the Interim Order will become final and United National Bank will then be compelled to transfer the secured sum to Broadsheet’s lawyers by August 17.

The Broadsheet’s lawyers had approached the court seeking £33,646.84 in interest but the court didn’t grant this sum to the Broadsheet. The court, however, awarded additional costs of £26,296.80 inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Broadsheet.

During the hearing, NAB’s lawyers attempted to argue that the application had been brought prematurely but the Master dismissed that argument and was critical of both the NAB and its lawyers’ failure to properly engage with the proceedings.

The Broadsheet and the NAB went back to the London High Court after failing to agree on the issue of costs and interests related to the payment of the remaining US$ 1,222,037.90 (£892,521.50), the interest of £33,646.84, and costs of £35,000. The Broadsheet controversy raged for several months after Pakistan lost the case and then several scandalous stories involving Kaveh Moussavi, Germany based Anjum Dar, Shahzad Akbar, The Daily Mail reporter David Rose, Dr Pucks and Zafar Ali QC made rounds. 

Kaveh Moussavi had alleged that Anjum Dar wanted a cut if he could get the payment made from Pakistan. Evidence showed that Anjum Dar held two meetings with Kaveh Moussavi in Germany and UK and sought commission on the promise that he will use his contacts in the PML government to get the monies of Broadsheet cleared.