LNG scam: NAB seeks details of Shahid Khaqan’s assets

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Saturday summoned details of the assets owned by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in connection to investigation of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) contract.

The former PM has been directed to submit all details during ongoing probe of the accountability watchdog.

The NAB has also warned Abbasi of sentencing him if he didn’t cooperate with the authority.

Abbasi had not appeared before the National Accountability Bureau in connection with a probe into the case on March 7.

Read: NAB records statement of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in LNG scam case

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader had written a letter to the bureau, stating that he couldn’t appear as he was out of the country. He asked NAB to reschedule his appearance after March 17.

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.