NAB reopens LNG case against former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reopened investigation into Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) scandal against former prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

NAB Rawalpindi chapter has decided to summon senior PML-N leader and former PM Abbasi for probe into the LNG deal. Furthermore a letter seeking relevant record from the department concerned has also been issued.

The file of the case was closed and it was in the back burner at Karachi office of the National Accountability Bureau.

The anti-corruption watchdog inquiring into a case registered in 2015 against Abbasi for awarding a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import contract which caused a potential $2 billion loss to the national exchequer.

Accusing the then, minister for petroleum, Khaqan Abbasi of misusing his authority, the case was registered on complaint of Shahid Sattar – an energy expert and former member of the Planning Commission and the SSGC board of directors – on July 29, 2015.

According to NAB documents, 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.

The NAB documents at that time said it had been recommended that the names of all accused in the case, including Mr Abbasi, should be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). However, no such decision was taken.

In February this year, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had fixed a plea filed by Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed seeking disqualification of then prime minister  Shahid Khaqan Abbasi over alleged corruption in the award of LNG import contract.

The petition requested the SC to order the National Accountability Bureau to take action against Abbasi in this regard.