IHC details reason for Fawad’s release

'Prosecution conceded to absence of evidence against Fawad'

ISLAMABAD:

Allowing the former federal minister Fawad Hussain to walk free from Adiala jail after approving his bail application, the IHC has noted that the case was still in the inquiry stage.

The IHC, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, issued a written verdict stating that the case was still in the inquiry stage, with no recommendation for investigation or reference filing.

Citing sections of the NAB Ordinance, the court asserted that the matter did not fall under NAB's jurisdiction.

Fawad's bail application pertained to a case involving alleged misappropriation in construction projects in Jhelum, for which he was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 2023.

The IHC noted that the prosecution conceded to the absence of evidence against Fawad, except for statements from two individuals.

Furthermore, the court emphasised that the project's PC-1 had been approved by Punjab's planning board, and the dual carriageway road project's PC-1 was sanctioned by CDWD and ECNEC before being handed over to FWO after fulfilling all legal requirements.

The written judgment highlighted that none of the officials from the involved agencies had been implicated in the case, as admitted by the Special Prosecutor NAB.

The case revolves around allegations that Fawad Hussain accepted a bribe of Rs5 million from contractor

Muhammad Ali to secure the project for him. It was claimed that Fawad also exerted pressure for the feasibility report of the project, according to XEN of the Highway Division.

Fawad Chaudhry's bail application was granted on a bond of Rs1 million, with the court clarifying that the decision would not impede the trial proceedings.