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NAB opposes bail plea of Khaqan Abbasi in LNG case

NAB opposes bail plea of Khaqan Abbasi in LNG case
February 13, 2020
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – While hearing on former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s bail petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) opposed bail of him in the LNG case. The NAB, in a reply submitted to the IHC, stated that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi should not be released. The 24-page reply states that the LNG reference had been filed and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi does not deserve the bail. The NAB accused Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of favouring his favourite companies. The bureau told that a reference against Abbasi has already been filed in the accountability court and further requested to reject the bail plea of PML-N leader. Earlier on September 11, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Karachi had requested to file a reference against the former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. 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.