OGRA scam: Rs3.2 billion recovered so far, NAB tells court
Physical remand of main accused extended till Sept 10.
According to NAB, four members of SNGP have recorded their statements, giving testimony that the accused has also stashed money in different banks in UAE. PHOTO: INP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday informed an accountability court that the authority has recovered Rs3.2 billion from the accused in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) scam.
During a hearing on Friday, NAB Prosecutor Barrister Saeedur Rehman informed the court that the Rs3.2 billion included Rs13.4 million recovered from Mian Ashfaq, the business partner of former Ogra chairman Tauqir Sadiq, the main accused in the Rs82 billion scam.
NAB requested the court to extend the physical remand of Sadiq, who was produced in court, pleading that the authority needed to continue investigations. According to NAB, four members of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGP) have recorded their statements, giving testimony that the accused has also stashed money in different banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The court was told that the authority has contacted the UAE authorities to seek their help. Investigation Officer (IO) Waqas Ali Khan told the court that in light of fresh evidence, further physical remand of the accused was needed.
Sadiq’s counsel Sardar Asmatullah Khan opposed further remand of his client, arguing that it was unjust and requested the court to grant him bail.
The court rejected the argument and sent Sadiq on physical remand till September 10 and directed the NAB to produce him in the next hearing.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday informed an accountability court that the authority has recovered Rs3.2 billion from the accused in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) scam.
During a hearing on Friday, NAB Prosecutor Barrister Saeedur Rehman informed the court that the Rs3.2 billion included Rs13.4 million recovered from Mian Ashfaq, the business partner of former Ogra chairman Tauqir Sadiq, the main accused in the Rs82 billion scam.
NAB requested the court to extend the physical remand of Sadiq, who was produced in court, pleading that the authority needed to continue investigations. According to NAB, four members of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGP) have recorded their statements, giving testimony that the accused has also stashed money in different banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The court was told that the authority has contacted the UAE authorities to seek their help. Investigation Officer (IO) Waqas Ali Khan told the court that in light of fresh evidence, further physical remand of the accused was needed.
Sadiq’s counsel Sardar Asmatullah Khan opposed further remand of his client, arguing that it was unjust and requested the court to grant him bail.
The court rejected the argument and sent Sadiq on physical remand till September 10 and directed the NAB to produce him in the next hearing.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.