Court orders NAB to file reference against Ahsan Iqbal within a month

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – An accountability court in Islamabad on Friday ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file reference against Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) senior leader Ahsan Iqbal in Narowal Sports City project case. The former interior minister appeared before court, and said that he is being punished for good deeds. “Our attendances are being checked and the mafia is wandering independently,” he added. Ahsan Iqbal also said that the reference should be filed against those persons who destroyed Narowal Sports City project. It was also reported that Ahsan Iqbal will appear before the anti-corruption watchdog’s Rawalpindi chapter’s office at 11am and will surrender his passport to the authorities. The PML-N stalwart will also respond to the bureau’s questions about Narowal Sports City (NSC) Project. Earlier, Ahsan Iqbal were released from Central Jail, Adiala. A large number of PML-N workers welcomed their leaders outside the jail. They chanted slogans in favour of Mian Nawaz Sharif. Earlier on Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted bail Ahsan Iqbal in the LNG and Narowal Sports City scandals respectively. A two-member bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minullah heard the cases. Ahsan Iqbal was granted the bail after furnishing the bonds worth Rs10 million. During the hearing, Additional Prosecutor General Nab opposed the bail of Iqbal, saying that if the suspect is granted bail then it can disrupt the case’s record. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that arresting a suspect to interrogate him shows incompetence on the part of the investigation officer and a suspect is innocent until the crime is proven against him. The APG Nab then said that if the PML-N leader submits his passport and appears when summoned by the court then he has no objection. In the LNG case, the court inquired the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), “Why was Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrested? How can Shahid Khaqan Abbasi be deprived of representation when people voted for them? Why are those people being punished who voted for Khaqan Abbasi?” In his remarks, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the PML-N leader cannot be kept under custody without any reason and barring them unnecessarily is misuse of power.