Turkish RPP: NAB given 24 hours to file report on ‘underhand deal’

SC takes notice of PML-Q leader Faisal Saleh Hayat’s allegations.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has given the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) 24 hours to submit a report over allegations of the existence of an underhand deal of the bureau with Turkish rental power plant Karkey.

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat claimed in a letter that allowing the ship-mounted power plant to leave the port in Karachi would sabotage the recovery of billions of rupees.

During Wednesday’s hearing, NAB rejected allegations and affirmed that Karkey would not be moved.

A three-member bench of the apex court was hearing a suo motu case regarding the non-implementation of its judgment on Rental Power projects (RPPs).

In his letter, Hayat requested the chief justice to stop relevant authorities and state functionaries from allowing the power ship from sailing out before the recovery of the full amount of Rs22 billion.

Rejecting Hayat’s allegations, NAB Additional Prosecutor General Akbar Tarar said that the bureau was dealing with the administration of Karkey according to its rules and regulations.

The chief justice, expressing concern over the non-implementation of the court’s RPPs judgment, warned of contempt proceedings against the NAB chairman and other officials of the bureau.

The hearing was adjourned till today.

Chichoki Mallian and Nandi Pur power plants

Hearing a related case about a delay in the installation of power plants in Chichoki Mallian and Nandi Pur, the same bench hinted at initiating criminal action against those responsible for causing billions of rupees worth of losses.

The court also expressed its displeasure over the absence of former law minister Babar Awan and secretary law Maood Chishti.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2012.