Sheikh Rasheed submits important documents in NAB against former premier Abbasi in LNG scam

F.P. Report

RAWALPINDI: Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed has submitted important documents in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in a case pertaining to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) contract scam, on Friday.

According to details, Sheikh Rasheed appeared before the NAB body Rawalpindi office as a complainant against PML-N’s senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

While talking to media outside the NAB office, Rasheed said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi played an important role in the LNG contract award which cost loss of billion of rupees to national exchequer.

Rasheed had filed an application with the Chairman NAB Justice (rtd) Javed Iqbal, urging him to initiate inquiry into LNG import contract with Qatar, accusing Abbasi of corrupt practices.

Earlier on March 7, Abbasi did not appear before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with a probe into the case.

NAB is probing a case instituted against Abbasi in 2015 for allegedly awarding a LNG import contract at exorbitant rates, which caused a potential $2 billion loss to the national exchequer.

It accused Abbasi of misusing his powers during his stint as petroleum minister. The case was registered on a complaint by Shahid Sattar – an energy expert and former member of the Planning Commission and the SSGC board of directors – on July 29, 2015.

According to the bureau, the contract for the LNG import and distribution was awarded to the Elengy Terminal in 2013 in violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and relevant laws.