Ogra scandal: Ex-PMs passed over able candidates

NAB references cast a lurid light on Gilani and Ashraf’s acts in Ogra chief selection .

ISLAMABAD:

Filing two references in a Rs82 billion Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s (Ogra) graft case, National Accountability Bureau has nominated 17 accused, including two former prime ministers.

NAB has moved two references, also available with The Express Tribune, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s November 26, 2011 judgment.

In its first reference, the accountability watchdog has nominated 12 people including Ogra’s former chairman Tauqir Sadiq. NAB’s second reference is related to the illegal appointment of Ogra’s former chairman and includes six names including that of ex-PMs Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

It is worth mentioning while NAB during its investigation had summoned then minister for petroleum and natural resources Naveed Qamar, his name is not included as accused in the references.

“On the appraisal of the material and evidence placed before me, I am satisfied that it is just and proper to proceed further against the accused as there is sufficient incriminating evidence available to justify the filing of reference,” pleaded NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry in the reference.

According to the reference No 2, the accused Gilani, being an authority for the appointment of Ogra chairman, nominated Ashraf – then minister for water and power – as chairman of selection committee.

The reference said Ashraf was neither the relevant minister nor had knowledge of Ogra and PM’s Secretariat did not immediately object to Cabinet Division’s January 16, 2009 note regarding the insertion of five ineligible candidates including accused Tauqir Sadiq in the first round of the selection process.

It said former premier Gilani did not pass any order for the verification of credentials of candidates, neither at the time of selection nor even after the appointment of Sadiq as chairman.

“After the appointment of accused as chairman Ogra, former PM had directed him for the issuance of NOC for installation/re-location of CNG stations despite ban imposed by Economic Coordination Committee,” it further said.

The reference said Ashraf as the chairman of selection committee had recommended Sadiq and ignored many potential candidates, having rich experience of petroleum sector.

NAB also alleged that Tauqir Sadiq had used his unrecognised and invalid LLM degree to obtain the post.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.