RPPs case: Ex-PM falls sick ahead of NAB questioning
NAB to present plan for Nawaz’s anti-corruption drive.
Photo file of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Citing a bout of ill health, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf skipped a round of questioning in the rental power projects (RPPs) case that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had ordered a day earlier.
The bureau had summoned Ashraf to present himself before investigators in the RPPs corruption case. Ashraf, who was minister for water and power then, is accused of receiving kickbacks in the RPP deals.
In a written reply to NAB summons, the former premier stated that he was unable to appear before the accountability watchdog due to illness. However, he did not specify the nature of the illness.
“I’m not aware if he provided any medical certificate with his reply,” said an official of NAB, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official added the former prime minister would not get away as the bureau would summon him again soon.
The recent summons by NAB were directly related to a 50 MW Naudero II power project case where investigators claim that the ex-minister for water and power was holding key evidence, besides concealing information which was vital to frame charges against him and other accused in the cases.
So far, NAB has recovered Rs5 billion of the total amount in question from those companies which were paid in advance by the then government.
Earlier, the NAB investigators also questioned former finance minister Shaukat Tareen who was accused of authorising the release of money to the companies. Tareen told the probe team he had authorised the payments only after the prime minister’s approval.
The NAB officials said they were planning to file references against half of the accused in the RPPs cases before May 27, the deadline set by the Supreme Court for NAB to complete investigations.
NAB chief offers cooperation
The NAB will present an immediate and long-term action plan to the incoming government for its anti-corruption drive. “The NAB is determined to follow the new government’s declared intent of zero tolerance on corruption and full promotion of meritocracy for good governance,” said the NAB spokesperson. He dispelled speculations related to the NAB chairman’s appointment.
Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari had been appointed naval chief by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and as NAB chief his conduct has been entirely aboveboard in difficult circumstances, the spokesperson added.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the chairman was holding a four year statutory appointment and could not be removed, except in the manner specified for Supreme Court judges.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.
Citing a bout of ill health, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf skipped a round of questioning in the rental power projects (RPPs) case that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had ordered a day earlier.
The bureau had summoned Ashraf to present himself before investigators in the RPPs corruption case. Ashraf, who was minister for water and power then, is accused of receiving kickbacks in the RPP deals.
In a written reply to NAB summons, the former premier stated that he was unable to appear before the accountability watchdog due to illness. However, he did not specify the nature of the illness.
“I’m not aware if he provided any medical certificate with his reply,” said an official of NAB, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official added the former prime minister would not get away as the bureau would summon him again soon.
The recent summons by NAB were directly related to a 50 MW Naudero II power project case where investigators claim that the ex-minister for water and power was holding key evidence, besides concealing information which was vital to frame charges against him and other accused in the cases.
So far, NAB has recovered Rs5 billion of the total amount in question from those companies which were paid in advance by the then government.
Earlier, the NAB investigators also questioned former finance minister Shaukat Tareen who was accused of authorising the release of money to the companies. Tareen told the probe team he had authorised the payments only after the prime minister’s approval.
The NAB officials said they were planning to file references against half of the accused in the RPPs cases before May 27, the deadline set by the Supreme Court for NAB to complete investigations.
NAB chief offers cooperation
The NAB will present an immediate and long-term action plan to the incoming government for its anti-corruption drive. “The NAB is determined to follow the new government’s declared intent of zero tolerance on corruption and full promotion of meritocracy for good governance,” said the NAB spokesperson. He dispelled speculations related to the NAB chairman’s appointment.
Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari had been appointed naval chief by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and as NAB chief his conduct has been entirely aboveboard in difficult circumstances, the spokesperson added.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the chairman was holding a four year statutory appointment and could not be removed, except in the manner specified for Supreme Court judges.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.