Islamabad (October 10, 2018): The Apex Court on Wednesday disposed of off a case pertaining to inordinate delay in completion of the Nandipur power project when it was informed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a reference against those responsible in a relevant court.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who was heading a bench of the apex court, observed that the petition has become infructuous after filing of the reference in an accountability court.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
He remarked that the anti-graft watchdog filed the reference on the basis of delay caused by the federal law ministry in completion of the project. The project was outsourced after being made operational, he added.
The bench directed the accountability court to proceed with the case irrespective of observations made by the top court in the matter.
PML-N leader Khawaja Asif had filed a petition in the apex court against inordinate delay in completion of the project which caused an increase in its cost.
It is worthwhile to mention here that, Accountability court will indict former Prime Minister, Raja Parvez Ashraf and PTI leader, Dr. Babar Awan in Nandipur Power Project Case on October 24.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Earlier during the hearing, Ashraf’s counsel submitted a plea for his permanent exemption. The court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the former premier’s request.
Talking to the newsmen after appearing in the court, Babar Awan said he will face the cases lodged against him.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Earlier on September 18, An accountability court directed former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Dr Babar Awan, to submit a surety bond of Rs0.2 million in the Nandipur Power Project case.
During a short hearing, in which both defendants were present, the court approved Ashraf and Awan’s bail and directed them to submit a surety bond.
The hearing was then adjourned till October 2 (today).
Speaking to media after the hearing, Ashraf said, “I am surprised to find my name linked to this case.
The case against me is baseless.”
Further, the former prime minister said, “I came to know about the facts of the case after reading the case report by SC Judge Rehmat Hussain Jaffery. Our lawyers will take the case up in Supreme Court.”
According to NAB, both the accused failed to discharge their duties timely, which caused loss of Rs 27 billion۔
Background Of The Case
The Nandipur Power Project was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in December 2007 at a cost of 329 million dollars. After approval, the contract was signed in January 2008, between Northern Power Generation Company Limited (NPGCL) and Dong Fang Electric Corporation (DEC), China and two consortiums — COFACE for 68.967 million euros and SINOSURE for 150.151 million dollars.
In 2008, the Ministry of Water and Power approached the Ministry of Law to issue a legal opinion but accused in connivance with each other and with malafide intentions, the latter repeatedly refused to issue on flimsy grounds.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Water and Power also failed to take any concrete measures to resolve the issue and the matter remained pending.
The legal opinion was issued in November 2011; the delay caused a loss of 27 billion rupees.
Related News:
