Bulletproof cars import: NAB opens new case against Nawaz, Abbasi

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday opened a new case of bulletproof cars import against former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The anti-graft watchdog body summoned Khaqan Abbasi and Nawaz Sharif for investigation into alleged importing of 34 bulletproof cars from Germany without payment of customs duty on any of them. Former PM Abbasi appeared before National the NAB in case pertaining to liquefied natural gas (LNG) import scam, where he was given a notice of summoning in the new probe of bulletproof cars. Notice sent to Abbasi states that the cars were imported ahead of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit 2016, and were to be used by diplomats. The notice requires response from Abbasi that why were the cars used for the protocol of Sharif family. It is pertinent to mention here that the probe is likely to get expand with the interrogation of former premier Nawaz Sharif as well in the same case – based on allegation that 20 of the total 34 vehicles were used for the protocol of Sharif family. Talking to the journalists outside the NAB’s office, Abbasi said he would present the record to the investigation team as he has received answers of certain questions via a letter sent to the secretary petroleum, regarding the inquiry. “It would be a disappointment, if officers arrest me,” he said. He criticised the recent row between PTI leaders Jahangir Khan Tareen and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, by stating that they should work for the country rather than engaging in a ‘fight’. Talking to the media after appearing before the NAB, he said that he will provide the record sought by the NAB about the LNG agreement. On January 2, the NAB had converted an inquiry into investigation against Abbasi for alleged misuse of powers with respect to the LNG project. The NAB approved an investigation against Abbasi who served as former petroleum minister, Arshad Mirza, former secretary petroleum, Sheikh Imranul Haq, former managing director Pakistan State Oil (PSO), and other officials at its Executive Board Meeting (EBM) presided over by NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. On September 10, 2018, the Supreme Court had directed the NAB to complete inquiry into the matter and submit its report. The case was registered in 2015 on the complaint of Shahid Sattar, an energy expert at the NAB Karachi, against Abbasi for awarding the LNG import contract which allegedly caused a huge loss to the national exchequer. In February this year, the Supreme Court fixed a plea filed by President Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, seeking disqualification of Abbasi over alleged corruption in the award of LNG import contract. The petition requested the Supreme Court to order NAB to take action against Abbasi in this regard.