SC directs authorities to make sure former OGRA chief arrest

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Foreign office to make sure the arrest of former chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Tauqeer Sadiq till February 14.

A two- member bench comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain resumed hearing on the case of multi-billion rupees corruption scam of former chairman OGRA.

The bench also directed NAB to submit decumentary record over the arrest of former OGRA chief from January 1 to onward.

During the course of proceeding, Deputy Director National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Waqas Ahmed Khan apprised the apex court that UAE Government is going to release Tauqeer Sadiq as his date of detention is going to expire on February 14.

Justice Jawad S. Khawaja was determined to saying that authorities would arrest Tauqeer Sadiq within this period and if they would fail to do so then authorities should make request to UAE govt for extension of 30 days of his detention.

He emphasized that case should be dealt under the deportation rules and should not be linked with extradition laws.

Meanwhile, Waqas Ahmed Khan informed the court that the Cabinet Division had written a letter to Chairman NAB Fasih Bukhari and sought updation of the case.

Khawaja showing his disappointment said, it would be intervention of Cabinet Division in the NAB's independent, free and fair proceeding.

He said court already passed a verdict that NAB is an independent department and it should work independently.

The bench also directed Pakistan Embassy in UAE, FIA, Ministry of Interior and NAB to make practical efforts to bring back the absconder from UAE.

The court also directed prosecutor NAB to submit an application to Rawalpindi court of Accountability Bureau for the issuance of absconder arrest warrant so that absconder deportation could make possible.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till February 18.