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IHC grants bail to ex-OGRA chief Tauqir Sadiq
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Wednesday, accepted the bail of former OGRA chairman Tauqir Sadiq and ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release him.
A divisional bench of the IHC comprising Justice Moorul Haq Queshi and Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan heard the bail plea filed by Tauqir Sadiq, the main accused of the OGRA corruption case. Counsel of Tauqir Sadiq, Advocate Sardar Asmat Ullah in his arguments apprised the court, his client (Tauqir Sadiq) has been facing acute discrimination from National Accountability Burea (NAB) side. Asmat Ullah stated unfortunately my client has become victim of NAB’s biased approach in this case, as out of the three other accused two got bail and another had not been arrested yet.
He added according to NAB’s reference other nine accused have not been arrested yet. Asmat Ullah asked why only his client (Sadiq) becoming victim in this case and being treated unfairly. The court inquired from NAB prosecutor Advocate Saeed ur Rehman, why other accused were not being arrested. The NAB prosecutor apprised the court Tauqir Sadiq is the main accused among others being head of OGRA; therefore, he kept in NAB’s custody.
Advocate Saeedur Rehman said Sadiq is the principal accused in the Rs 82 billion scam case, and fled to Abu Dhabi after the Supreme Court on November 25, 2011, declared his appointment as chairman OGRA illegal and ordered his arrest for corruption. He allegedly has close links with a senior leader of the PPP who reportedly played a major role in his escape from Pakistan despite cancellation of his passport and inclusion of his name in the Exit Control List (ECL). Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan in his remarks said the court has no concern that how Sadiq was arrested, however, asked the NAB prosecutor that why only Sadiq was arrested, what is real case and how the rest of accused got bail or not arrested. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court accepted bail petition for two surety bonds worth Rs. one million each.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk