LNG scandal: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s judicial remand extended till Jan 21

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – The accountability court extended the judicial remand of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi till January 21. Meanwhile, three accused, including Miftah Ismail, filed an application seeking exemption from attendance. The court also directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit the arguments till January 13. On July 18, the NAB arrested PML-N vice-president Shahid Khaqan Abbasi from the Toll Plaza near Thokar Niaz Baig in LNG case. 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.