Omni Group of Companies
Omni Group of Companies Pakistan
TypePrivately held
IndustryIndustrial Landscape
HeadquartersKarachi, Sindh
ProductsRice, sugar, cement, ethanol, polypropylene bags, power, automotive, and aviation
Number of employees
6,500+

Omni Group is a privately owned industrial conglomerate headquartered in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Omni Group operates in the sectors of rice, sugar, cement, ethanol, polypropylene bags, power, automotive, and aviation.

History

Omni Group originated with Berry Sugar Mills Ltd., and grew to entities like Khoski, Naudero, and New Dadu Sugar Mills by 1977. In the 1990s it expanded into ethanol and sugar with Pak Ethanol and Ansar Sugar Mills. In the 2000s, Omni diversified into packaging, printing, automotive (OFFL), aviation (TCB), and energy (Dadu Energy, OmniPower). Further expansion occurred between 2011 and 2013 with additional sugar mills and power ventures.

Of the new sugar mills, three were acquired from the government in a privatization effort, five were private acquisitions and one was a new mill. The three government mills were acquired at a cost of Rs300 million, while they were valued in the billions of rupees.[1] Of the private mills, two filed suit claiming fraudulent activity from Omni.[1] In the case of the Larr Sugar Mills, it was alleged that Omni group executive Anwar Majeed had falsified a share purchasing agreement which showed that the mill was entirely bought out by the Omni group.[1][2] This takeover was then enforced by police and private guards.[2]

Accounts investigation

In 2018, Omni Group faced legal scrutiny due to alleged involvement in a significant financial controversy. Investigations revealed a network of fake accounts operating within Sindh Bank and Summit Bank, wherein around Rs15 billion transactions were carried out. These accounts were purportedly utilized for money laundering and embezzlement purposes.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Allegations surfaced regarding the involvement of Omni Group's key figures, including executive Anwar Majeed, a close associate of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. Further investigations pointed to the use of these funds for personal expenses of political leaders and prominent individuals.[7][6][4]

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) pursued this case extensively, implicating key figures associated with Omni Group, including Anwar Majeed, Abdul Ghani Majeed, Aslam Masood, and Arif Khan. However, some individuals connected to the case reportedly left the country during the investigation.[9][6]

The case involving Omni Group and its associates progressed into legal battles, with legal representatives arguing over the group's declaration of Rs4.85 billion under the government's tax amnesty scheme. This declaration was seen as an attempt to circumvent scrutiny by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) regarding corruption allegations.[5][10]

The Supreme Court of Pakistan took cognizance of the matter, with a bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial overseeing the proceedings. The court observed loopholes in recent amendments to accountability laws, shifting the burden of proof regarding the legality of referenced amounts onto the prosecution.[5][10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "How Omni Group used govt power to acquire sugar mills". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  2. 1 2 "CJP approached against Omni Group in property grabbing issue". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  3. ↑ "Reference filed against Kh Anver, others in fake bank accounts case". The Nation. 2019-11-13. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  4. 1 2 Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2020-03-03). "NAB files case over misuse of foreign gifts". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  5. 1 2 3 "NAB files reference against Omni Group in fake bank account scam". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. 1 2 3 "The Omni Group saga: Of fake accounts, bogus companies and a trail of ill-gotten wealth". The Express Tribune. 2018-12-23. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  7. 1 2 "Omni Group CFO makes startling revelations in fake accounts scam". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  8. ↑ "Money laundering case: SC orders inquiry into loans taken by Omni Group". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  9. ↑ Desk, Web (2021-03-17). "Fake accounts case: NAB seizes benami properties of Omni Group". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  10. 1 2 Iqbal, Nasir (2022-10-11). "Omni group declared wealth to evade NAB, SC told". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
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