Journalists Face Legal Threats Over Collins and Sons Investigation

Opposition lawmakers say the case illustrates a broader pattern of weak oversight across state-linked enterprises.

The inquiry follows months of reporting by Watchdog Pakistan into the circumstances surrounding Collins and Sons's 2016 contract, which auditors say was approved without the standard risk assessment.

A parallel review by the central bank is examining whether Collins and Sons's banking partners met their reporting obligations under anti-money-laundering rules.

Committee members pressed officials on why the transaction, worth PKR 28 billion, was not flagged during routine oversight in 2019.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Collins and Sons said the company "categorically denies any wrongdoing" and is "fully cooperating" with investigators.