NAB withdraws LNG reference against Abbasi

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) withdrew on Tuesday the liquified natural gas (LNG) reference against former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The decision came during the hearing of the LNG reference presided by Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the accountability court.

During the hearing, NAB withdrew its reference against the former premier and all other accused in the case, including ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail, Sheikh Imran ul Haque, Engro Chairman Hussain Dawood and Board member Abdul Samad Dawood.

Read NAB approves references against Shehbaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan, former envoy

Deputy Prosecutor Azhar Maqbool from NAB and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's legal representatives were both present in court.

According to the sources, the former MD PSO petitioned NAB to reconsider the validity of the reference. Following the request, the accountability watchdog decided to withdraw the reference on merit.

Reacting to the court's ruling, Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi, representing Sheikh Imranul Haq, expressed his satisfaction with the decision. However, he added that throughout this ordeal, the accused endured not only the trial but also considerable hardships.

Speaking to the Express News, he also noted that numerous accused individuals were incarcerated as part of this case. “It was argued in court that this is a politically motivated case unrelated to corruption.”

“To prevent similar occurrences in the future, pursuing charges should be avoided until concrete evidence of corruption is presented,” he stressed.