ISLAMABAD – An accountability court announced on Tuesday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan, ex-prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and other suspects in the Nandipur power project case will be indicted on Oct 24.
The accountability court heard the case and directed all accused to ensured their appearance in the court on the said date when they will be formally charged with the crime pertaining to corruption. All suspects have been provided the copy of the reference.
Meanwhile, Ashraf filed a petition seeking permanent exemption from the appearance, to which, the court has issued notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit its reply.
During the last hearing on Sept 18, the court had granted bail to Awan and Ashraf, and directed them to submit a surety bond of Rs0.2 million.
As the NAB made Awan accused in the case, he tendered resignation as Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Parliamentary Affairs.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/babar-awan-resigns-as-pms-adviser-on-parliamentary-affairs/
The NAB had filed corruption reference against Babar Awan and others for the delay in Nandipur project inflicting a loss of Rs27 bn to the national exchequer.
The NAB has claimed that the Ministry of Water and Power and the Ministry of Law and Justice were responsible for the delay in the completion of the Nandipur power project and for its eventual cost escalation.
The law ministry had raised objections to the agreement signed by the power ministry from 2008 to 2011 and the issue was resolved after the ministers for the two ministries were removed.
