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Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Fugitive ex-OGRA chief brought back over Rs 82 billion scandal* NAB gets 14-day physical remand of Tauqir Sadiq
* Accused is alleged to have granted illegal CNG licences, illegal appointments, and misuse of authorityISLAMABAD: Pakistani investigators have brought home the country’s fugitive former oil and gas chief from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to face allegations in a Rs 82 billion scandal corruption case.
Tauqir Sadiq was arrested in Abu Dhabi in January on suspicion of amassing vast sums in kickbacks and commissions while head of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority between 2009 and 2011. Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was implicated as he was water and power minister at the time of the alleged embezzlement. Sadiq fled Pakistan last year. The National Accountability Bureau in a statement said that a team of investigators which had gone to UAE had landed with Sadiq in Islamabad early Tuesday.
“The accused is alleged to have granted illegal CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) licences on the basis of fake NOCs (certificates), recitation and re-location of CNG stations, illegal appointments, and misuse of authority,” the bureau said in a statement. “His actions as OGRA chairman are alleged to have benefited stock market tycoons at the expense of general public. He is accused of being involved in gas theft and leakage amounting to billions of rupees.”
On January 24, the Supreme Court had ordered a case to be registered against former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, former interior minister Rehman Malik and another member of then main ruling Pakistan People’s Party over Sadiq’s appointment in 2009 and absconding in 2012. Sadiq was presented in an accountability court after being transferred to Pakistan from the UAE. Judge Muhammad Bashir who was hearing the OGRA scandal case, on the request of NAB prosecutor, placed Sadiq on a 14-day physical remand.
During the proceedings, Sadiq alleged that NAB officials were threatening to break his legs if he did not say in the court what has been dictated to him. He told the court that he was being wrongly accused, and claimed that prominent personalities were involved in the scandal. “I will reveal details of these allegations against me and the individuals involved soon,” he said. Taking notice of his assault allegations, the court has directed medical examination of Sadiq. The
former OGRA chairman was shifted to Pakistan by NAB investigator Waqas Ahmad Khan through a private
airliner. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk