LNG scandal: Shahid Abbasi, Miftah Ismail’s remand extended till Jan 6

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – An accountability court extended the judicial remand of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismail in the LNG scandal till January 6. The court ordered to produce all accused on the next date of hearing. Talking to the media after the hearing on Monday, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that there are tax evaders and corrupt people in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. “My case is very weak and the NAB should withdraw it,” he added. He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issue can be resolved. “We have proposed three names and the government has also recommended the same numbers. One of the nominees can be appointed the chief election commissioner,” he said. The former PM asked the government not to make fun of the extension of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. “The NAB chairman should tell from where the wind was blowing previously,” he said. Earlier, the NAB has prepared reference against former president Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the LNG scandal. Inter-State Gas Systems Managing Director (MD) Mubin Saulat and former petroleum secretary Abid Saeed, who become an approver in the LNG case, appeared before NAB office and recorded their statements. On Jan 2, the NAB Executive Board had authorized two investigations against Mr Abbasi, being former minister for petroleum and natural resources — one for his alleged involvement in irregularities in LNG import and the other related to the appointment of Naeemuddin Khan as president of the Bank of Punjab. The NAB inquiry found that the SSGCL signed a 15-year contract with a subsidiary company of Engro for re-gasification of LNG at fixed daily processing charges. The government authorized the Pakistan State Oil to procure LNG on behalf of the SSGCL. However, the NAB reopened the inquiry against Abbasi in October 2018.