AC to hear Nandipur project case after concluding cases against Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday adjourned the Nandipur Power Project case against PTI leader Dr Babar Awan and former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf till January 17. 

Accountability Judge Arshad Malik said he would take up the case after the conclusion of two NAB references pending against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Babar Awan and other nominated accused appeared in the court.

The NAB had filed a corruption case against Babar Awan and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf regarding a delay in the completion of the Nandipur Power Project which caused a huge loss to the national exchequer.

At the previous hearing, the Bureau had submitted a response before the court regarding Awan’s acquittal plea.

Further, the court exempted Ashraf from appearances till the date of indictment.

It deferred the indictment of Ashraf, Awan and five others accused in the reference. Earlier this month, the court had fixed October 24 (today) as the date for the indictment of the seven accused.

According to details, two former federal ministers, Naveed Qamar and Khawaja Asif, have become witnesses against PTI leader Babar Awan. A total of 35 witnesses will testify, including three NAB investigation officers, in the Nandipur Power project reference.

Other officials nominated in the reference include former law and justice secretary Masood Chishti, Justice (r) Riaz Kiyani, former law and justice research consultant Shamila Mahmood, former law and justice senior joint secretary Dr Riaz Mahmood and former water and power secretary Shahid Rafi.

It is pertinent to mention here that on September 4, Babar Awan resigned as Prime Minister’s Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs owing to the charges filed against him in Nandipur Power Project reference.