Pacha Wazir
Haji Pacha Wazir | |
|---|---|
| Born | United Arab Emirates |
| Occupation | Banker |
| Known for | Managing a network of Hawala financial institutions; accused financier for Osama bin Laden |
Haji Pacha Wazir is a banker from the United Arab Emirates known for managing a network of Hawala financial institutions prior to his 2003 apprehension on accusations of serving as the primary financier for Osama bin Laden.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service connected Mohamed Harkat to an individual named "Haji Wazir," who was responsible for handling monetary transactions, including attempts to secure Canadian permanent residency.
According to Rob Suskind, following Wazir’s arrest and confinement at a CIA black site, U.S. authorities relocated his brother from Germany and detained his branch manager in Karachi. The CIA reportedly impersonated family members to maintain control over Wazir’s operations, using this strategy to capture his associates.
Nonetheless, Glenn Carle, the CIA operative who conducted Wazir’s interrogation, challenged these assertions in his book The Interrogator: An Education. Carle determined that Wazir was cooperative and candid regarding his activities. Scott Horton of Harper's Magazine later characterized the claim that Wazir managed bin Laden’s financial affairs as "completely unfounded." Despite Carle’s conclusions, CIA leadership disregarded them, and Wazir remained in custody until his transfer to Afghanistan in February 2010.