NAB arrests Fawad on corruption

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Fawad Chaudhry was arrested on corruption charges Saturday from the Adiala jail where he is being housed after his detention in a case involving cheating and threatening a citizen.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday obtained the court permission to interrogate former federal minister Fawad Chaudhary in connection with a case relating to corruption and assets beyond means.

The court hearing was conducted by Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood and was attended by NAB officials and investigation officer. It is relevant to mention here that the NAB chairman had already issued warrants to arrest Fawad Chaudhary under Section 24-A.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials informed the court that Fawad Chaudhary is in custody under judicial remand. The court allowed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to execute the orders of serving arrest warrants to Fawad Chaudhary and also directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to cooperate in this regard.

It was a legal requirement to get court permission as the accused is already in judicial custody in the previous case and the judicial magistrate accepted the plea, directing the Adiala jail superintendent to ensure that the warrants were executed. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had already launched inquiry into the affairs related to the construction of Jhelum-Pind Dadan Khan dual carriage – a road project connecting the two towns.

It has been alleged that Fawad used his political clout in the approval and execution of the project that also involves financial irregularities in land acquisition. He was earlier summoned on Nov 13 for an interview at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office in Rawalpindi. Fawad is known for changing political loyalties.

Previously, he remained a staunch supporter of military dictator Pervez Musharraf and later joined the PML-Q. His next stop was the PPP where he was appointed as a media adviser to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari – the party chairman.

However, he then decided to board the PTI’s ship where he became a close aide to the party chairman while delivering aggressive statements and speeches. With the passage of time, the May 9 fallout meant that he opted to be a part of the newly-launched Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) – a relationship that is yet to be defined clearly.

At point, Fawad was among the aspirants eyeing the chief minister’s slot in Punjab during and after the Usman Buzdar episode, but he hadn’t been able to fulfil his ambitions.