Ongoing issue: Bail granted in illegal gas connection case
Three accused are being investigated in NAB case against Dr Asim Hussain
Dr Asim Hussain. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) granted on Thursday protective pre-arrest bail to three accused nominated in a corruption case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain.
Headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, the bench granted bail to Iqbal Z Ahmed, Basharat A Mirza and Zahid Bakhtiar for 14 days to join investigations.
NAB had filed a reference on March 5 regarding illegal award of contracts to a privately-managed gas processing company, Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited (JJVL).
The investigators alleged that JJVL was allowed to process gas from five fields in lower Sindh without conducting an open auction, signing agreements and other necessary procedures required by law. Thus, it caused a loss of Rs17.3 billion to the national coffers. NAB is investigating cases relating to alleged illegal issuance of gas connections to JJVL by Dr Asim in the capacity of the federal minister for petroleum.
On Thursday, petitions seeking grant of pre-arrest bail were filed by Ahmed of JJVL, Basharat A Mirza and Zahid Bakhtiar, the ex-managing director and acting general manager of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.
The petitioners said the accountability court had issued non-bailable warrants for their arrest on March 28. The petitioners said they want to surrender before the trial court but apprehended arrest at the hands of NAB officials.
The bench granted protective bail to them with a surety of Rs0.5 million each. All were directed to join the investigation within 14 days.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2016.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) granted on Thursday protective pre-arrest bail to three accused nominated in a corruption case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain.
Headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, the bench granted bail to Iqbal Z Ahmed, Basharat A Mirza and Zahid Bakhtiar for 14 days to join investigations.
NAB had filed a reference on March 5 regarding illegal award of contracts to a privately-managed gas processing company, Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited (JJVL).
The investigators alleged that JJVL was allowed to process gas from five fields in lower Sindh without conducting an open auction, signing agreements and other necessary procedures required by law. Thus, it caused a loss of Rs17.3 billion to the national coffers. NAB is investigating cases relating to alleged illegal issuance of gas connections to JJVL by Dr Asim in the capacity of the federal minister for petroleum.
On Thursday, petitions seeking grant of pre-arrest bail were filed by Ahmed of JJVL, Basharat A Mirza and Zahid Bakhtiar, the ex-managing director and acting general manager of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.
The petitioners said the accountability court had issued non-bailable warrants for their arrest on March 28. The petitioners said they want to surrender before the trial court but apprehended arrest at the hands of NAB officials.
The bench granted protective bail to them with a surety of Rs0.5 million each. All were directed to join the investigation within 14 days.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2016.