Buzdar’s bail in liquor licence case extended

LAHORE:

An accountability court on Tuesday issued orders of extension in interim bail of former chief minister Usman Buzdar in an illegal licence issuance case to a private hotel.

The bail date expired has approached on which Buzdar appeared before the court. The court during the hearing asked NAB if they needed his custody. The NAB prosecutor however replied that a warrant has not been issued so far. The court issued orders of extension of interim bail till December 5 and sought replies from both parties.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers and leaders had gathered at the court and shouted slogans against Buzdar as he left the court.

The NAB had been investigating former Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar in a case about alleged misuse of authority in the issuance of an illegal liquor licence to a private hotel in return for Rs50 million as a bribe.

A private hotel in Lahore had applied to the Excise and Taxation Department for obtaining an L-2 Liquor Licence without first obtaining registration and licence from the Department of Tourist Services, Punjab under the Pakistan Hotels and Restaurant Act, 1976 and The Rules, 1977 with a 4/5 star rating.

The condition of having a 4/5 star rating was essential for obtaining the L-2 Liquor Licence after the 2009 CM approved a policy which restricted the grant of L-2 Liquor Licence only to hotels having 4 or 5-star ratings.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2022.