Trial court extends Pepco official’s remand period

Adjourns illegal hiring case against former PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf till Feb 16

LAHORE: An accountability court on Saturday extended the remand period of the Pakistan Electric Power Company’s (Pepco) former managing director Rasool Mehsud who is accused of causing Rs13.72 billion loss to the exchequer and is currently in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) custody.

During hearing of the case, the court directed NAB to present the suspect on February 19. Earlier, the suspect was brought from jail and presented before the court. On Saturday NAB could not file a charge-sheet against the suspects. However, it has provided copies of the reference to them.

According to NAB, Mehsud during 2010-12 misused his authority and caused huge loss.



It claims that during his tenure, Pepco purchased transformers at an exorbitant price. He is also accused of tampering with the purchase documents during investigation. NAB Lahore filed the reference against the accused in 2015.

Meanwhile, counsel for former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others continued their arguments in a case related to illegal hiring at Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco).

During the arguments, the investigation officer’s condition worsened due to which hearing was adjourned till February 16.  In the hearing that took place in Judge Najamul Hassan’s court, the former PM did not appear due to ill health.

His lawyer Shahid Iftikhar submitted an exemption plea, which the court accepted. During the hearing on Saturday, the lawyer of accused Waqar Mir cross-questioned the public prosecutor and investigation officer Salahuddin.



During the cross-examination, the investigation officer complained of chest pain and was immediate provided medical help by rescue personnel. The court later adjourned the hearing till February 16.

NAB nominated Ashraf and eight others in a reference with regard to illegal appointments in Gepco during his term as prime minister.  According to NAB, Ashraf appointed people who did not even submit applications.

Merit, policy of written assessment and domicile were also violated and jobs were given to unqualified people on political grounds.  It said the former PM, in order to save his vote bank, favoured people of his constituency and deprived many deserving people.