Court to hear Babar Awan's acquittal plea in Nandipur reference today

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court here on Monday (today) will resume hearing of a reference regarding delay in Nandipur Power Project against seven accused including former prime minister Pervaiz Ashraf and former law minister Babar Awan.

The court presided over by Judge Arshad Malik will hear a petition of former minister Babar Awan seeking his acquittal in the case.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has already submitted its reply over the acquittal plea of Awan.

Babar Awan today reached in the accountability court for hearing.

Replying a question of media about completion of 100 days of the PTI government, Awan said that the new government has changed the scene within and outside the country in its 100 days. Now no person is above the law.

“Everyone abroad, whether he is Modi or Trump being given proper reply with dignity,” Awan said.

Accused former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will not appear in the case hearing after his exemption plea accepted by the accountability court in a previous hearing.

The Supreme Court reopened Nandipur Power Project case on August 8, this year.

The Rawalpindi NAB on September 5, filed a reference against seven politicians and officials.

The National Accountability Bureau in the reference, contended that the project had faced a delay of two years, one month and 15 days, resulting in a loss of Rs 27.3 billion to the national exchequer. The power plant project, located in Gujranwala district of Punjab, could not be completed and operated on time because the accused failed to issue legal opinions.