Khaqan Abbasi faces NAB inquiry over LNG contract
ISLAMABAD: Following the removal of its chief Nawaz Sharif as prime minister, another problem has arisen for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the interim premier-in-waiting, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, is also facing a Rs220 billion corruption inquiry being carried out by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Mr Abbasi, the former minister for petroleum and natural resources, is a principal accused in a NAB case registered in 2015 regarding award of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import contract.
Other suspects include former petroleum secretary Abid Saeed, Inter State Gas Systems (ISGS) managing director Mobin Saulut, private firm Engro’s chief executive officer Emranul Haq and the Sui Southern Gas Company’s (SSGC) ex-MD Zuhair Ahmed Siddiqui.
After the removal of Mr Sharif by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, the PML-N has nominated Mr Abbasi as its candidate for the prime minister’s post for an interim period before Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif replaces him for the remaining 10 months of the government’s term. The election of the new prime minister will be held on Tuesday and Mr Abbasi is set to be elected in view of his party’s comprehensive majority in the National Assembly.
According to NAB documents, the contract for the LNG import and distribution was awarded to the Elengy Terminal, a subsidiary of Engro, in 2013 in violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and relevant laws.
The bureau registered the case on July 29, 2015 but it is still in the inquiry stage, contrary to NAB Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry’s claim that he has introduced a new strategy under which the process of complaint verification, inquiry, investigation and filing of reference took 10 months.
It appears that like several cases of the Sharif family, this one has also been dumped by NAB.
The case was registered on the complaint of Shahid Sattar, an energy expert and former member of the Planning Commission and the SSGC board of directors, along with others, accusing Mr Abbasi of misusing his authority and causing a potential $2bn loss to the national exchequer in 15 years.
The NAB documents said that it had been recommended that the names of all accused in the case, including Mr Abbasi, should be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) and the process was under process.
Talking to reporters after meeting Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday, Mr Abbasi said he was not afraid of any reference, adding that those levelling allegations against him should search their own souls and be ashamed of their deeds.
“Not only one case but get registered 10 references against me,” he said in reply to a question about Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s decision to approach the Supreme Court against him regarding the NAB proceedings.
Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2017
Comments (41)
Did the PML-N not know the pending case against Mr. Khaqan Abbasi before NAB? What is going on here in Pakistan? Can't we find an honest candidate for the premiership? Please get another candidate for Interim Premier.
This would never have happened without Tehreek e Insaaf.
Another example which confirms that PML-N is a Corruption Mafia. May God have mercy on Pakistan.
It is just the start, a lot will come out in the coming days
It's amazing that ruling party don't even have one person who is clean and be the prime minister. I request to Pakistani people please think twice before vote next time.
@Sab se pehle pakistan Right bhai I do think you and I think alike!
All credit goes to PTI.
AH God plz save us from these!
The PM of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan should be spotless person with not even a suggestion of corruption against him/her. In west if there is any slight doubt about the character of the candidate for PM position in regards to corruption, he is booted right out.
The story will be balanceed and more credible if it included Khaqan Abbasi's version.
Party without any ideology. Solely surviving on corruption and fear mongering.
I penned it yesterday (30th) but ignored. Nawaz is not the only and the last corrupt person in my beloved Pakistan but they are yet to be exposed in due course of time and therefore all those who are addressing press conferences appearing in talk shows and meeting their party workers and supporters must not forget that today if they are attacking others then tomorrow they could be attacked alike and then they will curse self so I advise that keep shut or one’s hands must not be dirty and instead be clean but not as clean as Nawaz Sharif claimed before facing JIT and even now when he stands dethroned. I am done. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / zaidi.formerdiplomat@hotmail.com
The President,the Speaker, the ECP have moral duty to first ascertain the credibility of accused candidate,before allowing to contest.
Any PM choice is better than Sheikh Rasheed. Why did PTI nominate Sheikh Rasheed for PM when all the PTI supporters want Imram Khan as a PM ?
Problem with pmln is that they don't have any honest person in their party but Pakistan pays the price
@Asif A Shah Probably no honest man can be found in current system.
I think the entire political arena is corrupt. NAB must grow some balls to bring all the corrupt politicians to face charges in the Court of law.
@Ahamad Dont ask God to save us ask those people of Punjab to wake up and smell the coffee. I can guarantee you that after this , we will put back PML -N k in power. People are salves to the Sharif family and their next generation.
@Asif A Shah Everyone is tainted with corruption head to feet.
PML-N should be ashamed
@Sab se pehle pakistan . AMEEN summa AMEEN
if you do referendum 98% Pakistanis will reject Khaqan Abbasi. only Nawaz like him.
So far we were listening to the slogan "Whole family" now think it is going to be " the Whole party is corrupt".
They are only worried, how to keep power in a certain family, not bother about the country or the party.
is there any one in pakistani politics who is clean of corruption???
replace one looter with another ??
he got active cases with NAB, so how can they nominate him?? and why NS and others who are convicted by SC is still at large and enjoying free life?? once proven guilty should be arrested straight away.
A case pending for 2 years while NAB was in deep sleep. They should be bound to either dismiss the case or submit in court in 3 months.
Yeah...Like we had been hearing Panama Panama Panama for last 2 years and NS was disqualified on 'iqama'. Civvies under siege. Game of thrones continue.
Cpec is the biggest scam. Just wait
Frivolous case, no basis. He's alleging that we are buying LNG too expensive and Engro Elengy got a great deal. The latter is correct. The former isn't. If you think you can get cheaper LNG to Pakistan try it. If you think you can set up a cheaper LNG terminal, you're probably 100% correct.
@osman You wrote "This would never have happened without Tehreek e Insaaf." No . the fact is, This would never have happened without The 3rd Umpire.
Don't worry Mr. Abbasi, 45 days will fly by very quickly. Enjoy your stay in the PM House.
will the election commission take notice of this and throw Abbasi nomination out? can NAB send a note to election commission on this?
No - we are destined to be ruled by rulers who knows only corruption
@Desi_Baba Don't worry bro. Panama case starting in accountability court in 6 weeks. Better news is that it will conclude in 6 months
Another Nonsense by PMLN. I they thing the whole PMLN cohort have no white collar politician
He used his own money to buy gas for Pakistan... he did a national service only the be seen as corrupt.
@Sab se pehle pakistan Another example that someone is after them
Sweets business is all set to thrive in the coming months.
@Asif A Shah
Do you believe that honest people need to side with PMLN? Had there been any honest in their party, he would have long ago distanced himself. It is a Mafia with every other person involved in huge corruption
Either PMLN seems to be not learning any lesson or they don't have any straight guy left for this post.
People are known by the company they keep. Having being under the tutelage of NS and Ishaq Dar, do we expect this man to be honest and free of any corruption in his past?
Just being a member of PML-N and PPP implies you are damaged or tainted goods.
I have been following LNG deals in Pakistan through published public news, trade news /journals and some TV talks. What is the specific allegation as violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and relevant laws?