NAB approves probe against Nawaz Sharif, Abbasi

Islamabad: Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday approved probe against Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) supremo Nawaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi over awarding contract of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in ‘non-transparent way’.

NAB Chairman Javed Iqbal presided over huddle of NAB Executive Board in Islamabad and declared that contract was awarded to dearest companies purely on basis of nepotism.

The executive board also approved probe against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah over alleged financial irregularities in Sindh Cultural Festival 2014, Saad Rafique in Paragon Housing Scheme, former Karachi Port Trust Ahmed Hayat and former Balochistan Minister Sheikh Jafar over misuse of authority and disproportionate assets.

The NAB also approved investigation against former speaker and deputy speakers of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly over irregularities in recruitment, and former member Punjab Assembly Kot Addu Jawad Kamran over inflicting loss worth Rs 120.70 million on national exchequer.

Earlier back then in February 2018, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had met NAB chairman and submitted evidence against Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi over alleged corruption in awarding contract for import of LNG. At the time of contract, Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi was petroleum minister.

Several other inquiries against Balochistan provincial ministers, officials of forestry department in Gilgit-Baltistan and others were also approved.

The graft watchdog made clear that it is simply beginning investigations and nothing has been proven against anyone in the cases up till now.