OGRA scandal: NAB to quiz two former premiers, ex-minister

They have been summoned over charges of corruption and misuse of authority in issuing licences for CNG despite ban.


Asad Kharal June 05, 2013
Naveed Qamar. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:


The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned two former prime ministers Yousaf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and the ex-petroleum minister Naveed Qamar for questioning in the multi-billion-rupee Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) case, The Express Tribune has learnt.


The corruption watchdog has summoned the two ex-premiers and the minister on charges of corruption and misuse of authority in issuing licences for CNG filling stations despite ban.

Earlier, the NAB had called in Gilani and Ashraf on June 10 to record their views on the illegal appointment of Tauqir Sadiq as Ogra chairman.

The NAB has also summoned the commissioner Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Imtiaz Haider and SECP executive Director Imran Inayat Butt.

“Whereas your presence is necessary for the purpose of investigation into the offence reported to have been committed under National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999, therefore, you are directed to appear before Waqas Ahmed Khan, Deputy Director /Investigation Officer of OGRA case,” the notices read.

While issuing the last and third notice to Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) Azeem Iqbal Siddiqi, Dr Faizullah Abbasi former MD SSGC, and Yousaf Ansari the company secretary NAB told them to appear before the investigation team otherwise they will be arrested.

NAB has sought the record of five companies, Invest and Finance Securities, Fortune Securities, AKD Securities and Pearl Securities in connection with selling and buying of shares of SSGC and SNGPL. The share market had fluctuated wildly when the then chief of OGRA, Tauqir Sadiq, had raised the benchmark of unaccounted for gas (leaked or stolen) from 5% to 7% in September 2010.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2013.

COMMENTS (1)

ashar | 10 years ago | Reply

What a shame for our country?

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