Lahore Accountability Court Monday acquitted former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) made LNG reference after the anti-graft watchdog took back the reference.
Accountability Court judge Judge Rana Javed Nasir issued a 10-page verdict of the LNG reference. The written decision consists of 10 pages.
The court asked the NAB chairman to withdraw the reference in whole or in part.
“The Chairman is obliged to consult the Prosecutor General for the withdrawal of the reference. “After the charge was framed, the accused has to be acquitted on such a plea,” the verdict maintained.
“If the indictment is not framed, a mere dismissal of the case is sufficient, a written decision,” the verdict reads.
Read more: NAB withdraws reference against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in LNG case
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday withdrew the reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) case.
According to details, Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana had heard the case. The court had delivered the verdict on the NAB's plea for withdrawing the reference against Abbasi. On this occasion, the deputy commissioner said: "The NAB is withdrawing the reference against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi".
Abbasi was presented before the accountability court along with the lawyers.
The NAB had withdrawn the reference against the other accused as well. Among the accused were Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismail, Engro Chairman Hussain Dawood, and Engro Board member Abdul Samad Dawood, along with 13 others.
In this reference, both Miftah Ismail and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were incarcerated. The reference against Abbasi was filed on December 3, 2019.
NAB had accused Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of causing a loss of Rs21 billion to the national exchequer. Abbasi was released on bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in 2020.
A few days back, Abbasi asked the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) government to make tough decisions.
Speaking to the media outside the judicial complex in Islamabad, Abbasi said: "Before the incumbent government, there was a failed government power. We will pray for the guidance of the rulers."
In connection with the Iranian president's visit to Pakistan, Abbasi said: "Iran is our neighbouring country. There is a dire need to further boost the ties between the two countries."
Earlier this month, it was reported that Abbasi had formally parted ways with PML-N forever as he had approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the registration of his new political party.
Abbasi had himself reached the ECP headquarters in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and submitted the information to the ECP for the registration of his party.
He said that he has provided the required documents to the election regulator for registration.
